Spring into Wellness
February 3 – May 2, 2025
The Office of Student Affairs' Spring into Wellness program offers events and self-guided resources to support students on their emotional, physical, and professional well-being journey.
Events will take place in February, March, April, and May including reoccurring weekly events.
We will also be hosting our pre-exam Wellness Week, a perennial favorite, during the week of April 28 through May 2.
Our events help you develop skills and foster social support, emphasizing the importance of sustaining healthy behaviors throughout law school, your legal education, and your career.
On this page:
At UB School of Law, we are committed to fostering a vibrant and healthy law school community. Check out the programs and events taking place throughout the spring semester to promote wellness and support your success.
(Click on the red circles below to reveal the event details.)
The Office of Student Affairs kicks off Spring into Wellness with a Moe's Welcome Back Luncheon on Tuesday, February 4th from 12-1PM in the Law Library on the 6th Floor.
Hobby Hour: Painting with Lisa Patterson
Wednesday, February 12th
Drop in any time between 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., 6th Floor Law Library
Join the Program Director for Externships, Public Interest Offerings, and Access to Justice Initiatives, Lisa Patterson, the Office of Student Affairs, and members of our law community in creating art expressions of our self-care and wellness wishes for others.
This event is free. Supplies will be provided. All we need is you!
JD/JSD/LLM students are invited to join the Office of Student Affairs and Health Promotion's Registered Dietician, Janice Cochran for a Snack Meals workshop on Wednesday, February 19th between 12 p.m.-12:45 p.m. in the O'Brian Hall Courtroom.
Snack Meals allow you to save money and nourish yourself when you don’t have time to cook and clean up.
In this workshop, you’ll apply simple concepts and make your own snack meal.
Please note that the workshop is limited to 15 students. Students will receive a snack meal and other Health Promotion swag!
Hobby Hour: Cross Stitching with Austin Waters
Wednesday, March 5th
Drop in any time between 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., 6th Floor Law Library
Join the Student Services Librarian, Austin Waters, the Office of Student Affairs, and members of our law community in cross stitching!
This event is free. Supplies will be provided. All we need is you!
Sponsored by AccessLex, learn how to maintain financial wellness while being a law student. This week we have two informative webinars to help you achieve your goals, tabling, and private one-on-one appointments:
Session 1: The Other Bar Prep: Budgeting, Credit, and Debt Management for the Bar
Wednesday, February 26th
3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. | Letro Courtroom
The costs associated with taking the bar exam can add up. And did you know that bar examiners may also review how you’ve handled financial obligations when evaluating your Character and Fitness to practice law in your state? During this event, an Accredited Financial Counselor® from AccessLex Institute® will walk you through a credit and debt checklist that includes when and how to review credit scores and reports, options for funding the various components of studying for and taking the bar, and how to check Character and Fitness requirements for your jurisdiction. Attendees will receive an entry into the annual MAX by AccessLex® Scholarship Drawings.
- Lunch will be provided.
- RSVP
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Session 2: Student Loan Repayment Strategies for Legal Careers
Thursday, February 27th
12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. | Letro Courtroom
Student loan repayment can feel overwhelming, but you can chart a path to a debt-free future based on your specific income and career trajectory. During this event, an Accredited Financial Counselor® from AccessLex Institute® will cover common repayment strategies for different legal careers and essential details regarding repayment plan options, consolidation, and loan forgiveness programs. Attendees will receive an entry into the annual MAX by AccessLex® scholarship drawings.
- Lunch will be provided.
- RSVP
Chair Massages
Wednesday, February 26th (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
Thursday, February 27th (12 p.m. – 2 p.m.)
O'Brian Hall First Floor Student Lounge
A licensed massage therapist will be in the first floor student lounge offering 10-minute chair massages courtesy of AccessLex!
JD/JSD/LLM law students are invited to sign up for 10-minute chair massage appointments.
Check out the programs and events taking place throughout the spring semester to promote health and wellness.
(Click on the red circles below to reveal the weekly activities.)
Taking Care Tuesdays: Mid Day Coffee / Tea Hour break with OSA Team
Drop in on Tuesdays between 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the Letro Courtroom. 1st Floor, O'Brian Hall to have coffee or tea, de-stress, spend time with members of the OSA team, and chat about any questions!
Yoga with Ashley Abbott
In collaboration with the Office of Student Affairs' Wellness Initiatives, Director of Student Life, Ashley Abbott will host weekly yoga classes.
Join us on Tuesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Wellness Room (6th Floor Law Library). Stay for as little or as long as you would like!
Benefits of Yoga:
- Reduced Stress
- Increased Relaxation
- Increased Flexibility
- Increased Strength Training
- Reduced Anxiety
- Increased Balance
- Increased Cardio Health
- Increased Energy
Ther-a-pet Thursdays from SPCA's Paws For Love
Enjoy therapeutic time with the SPCA's Paws For Love volunteers' dogs weekly on Thursdays from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the O'Brian Hall Lobby
If you cannot visit our on-campus dogs, destress by watching animals:
Pets - especially dogs and cats - can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and playfulness, and even improve your cardiovascular health. Don’t have a pet at home? Why not bring a smile to your face with animal cams? Check out these suggestions:
- Watch Baby Goat Cam, the National Zoo's Panda Cam, the Georgia Aquarium's Sea Otter Cam, or the San Diego Zoo's Hippo Cam.
- How about penguins or even an elephant cam!
- Have an animal at home, consider taking a short video and posting it to the Class Facebook/LinkedIn pages so we all can enjoy!
An Accredited Financial Counselor® from AccessLex Institute® will be offering free, 30-minute, one-on-one financial coaching appointments.
Sample Coaching Questions:
- Should I pay off my student loan debt before saving for retirement?
- How do I pay for bar exam expenses?
- What is the difference between a credit report and a credit score?
- I’ve heard friends talking about a Roth IRA. I am not sure what it is, and should I invest in one?
- In order to gain Public Service Loan Forgiveness, do I have to work in public service for 10 years consecutively?
- I know that I should be creating a budget, but I am not sure how to start?
- What are my options for student loan repayment, and how do I determine which is best for me?
Join Us!
On the following dates for 30-minute individual phone calls with Access Lex.
- Feb. 12 & Mar. 12 (virtual)
- Feb. 26 & Feb. 27 (virtual & 505 option)
Join Thom Neil, LCSW for a psychoeducational workshop series for UB Law students addressing mental health and wellness concerns. Feel free to bring your lunch since all workshops take place at noon.
Workshop details coming soon!
Self Awareness
Self-awareness is the ability to tune in to your feelings, thoughts, and actions. Being self-aware also means being able to recognize how other people see you. People who are self-aware recognize their strengths and their challenges.
To learn more about self-awareness and its benefits, download our guide.
Pausing to reflect and truly feel appreciative for the simple things in your daily life is one of the most valuable practices you can do.
Want to learn more about mindfulness and meditation? Take a 4-week class from Koru Mindfulness to discover how you can benefit. Classes are free to *all* UB students. (Read more information)