Principal’s Notes

It is perhaps when we are overwhelmed that we need self-care most, but it seems I am least likely to manage my self-care when I am really stressed. I can be going along, managing a lot, but maintaining good self-care habits, and then something slips, and something new is added to my deliciously full plate, and then … it feels like I have to start all over again.

Of course, the New Year is close, so I can just wait to restart things then right? Refreshed and motivated I will tackle that whole self-care thing in January. I have done it many time before, but maybe this time I should do it differently. Maybe this time I do not need to try to do it all, all at once, maybe I can just start now.

So maybe the first step is consider the 1, 2 or 3 things I could do today, this week or this month to take a breath, to make some space, so that I am more likely that I will successfully manage all the things. Just like we can be overwhelmed by the addition of one more little thing,  we can begin to rebalance with small steps.

I think small first step that works best for me, and takes very little effort, is recognizing the tiny slices of joy that that I experience throughout the day. Perhaps it is the way that first mouthful of tea tastes first thing in the morning, or the way the surface of the snow glitters in the light. It might be taking a second to appreciate the happiness I experience when I hear that baby in the store laughing, or the feeling of freshly washed sheets after a long day. This idea isn’t mine, it is from Chade-Meng Tan’s book Joy on Demand, which I have to admit I haven’t actually read but I heard him talking about it years ago on CBC (yup reading the book is still on my To Do List.)

So maybe start by finding the thin slices of joy in your own life, and then try a meal that nourishes your body and gives you the drive you need to tackle your list.  Perhaps make space for a break, a stretch or a walk because sitting in one place for hours on end doesn’t help anyone. Finally, don’t forget the energy we can get from others, human or animal. A chat on the phone, a cuddle with your cat, or a gathering with friends can be just what you need to give yourself the energy you need to do the next thing.

Story Time with Steph

Hello Good Humans of Lady Eaton!

'Tis the season for exams and end of term tasks as well as coming together to celebrate the light we bring with us where we go. I hope this is all working together to a magical balance that you are each navigating as best you can with all those brains in your head and feet in your shoes- even in icy conditions sometimes! You've got this! You are not alone- even though it can sure feel like it at times. There are supports for whatever you are facing- please consider reaching out if support feels useful. It can be difficult/vulnerable to reach out, but I promise that there are so many really wonderful humans here at LEC and Trent wide, in so many departments who are cheering you on just like me! (I'm just super lucky to have Storytime with Steph to get my cheers out there directly to your eyeballs!) Remember! We are essentially complicated houseplants: SO! don't forget to drink plenty water, get some fresh air and sunshine and don't forget to stretch! That important note noted, self care for me can be taking a minute with a warm drink, or blasting my favourite scream ballad (is this just a me thing..?) in my headphones or car, a walk...a brain break with a friend, a walk until I meet three dogs who are happy to greet me...You know what brings you joy and lights you up to keep on shining- I hope you find lots of that, among the work of finishing off strong this term!

You've got this

You are not alone

Do you hear what I hear?? (The Trent Campus Goes WILD cheering you on!)

Academic Advising

Do you have questions about your degree, major/minor, program requirements, or general university requirements? We are here to help support you! We offer a variety of ways to connect with an Academic Advisor in your College, including appointments that are in-person, by phone and video chat.

Check out our website for ways to get in touch with Academic Advising, instructions on how to book an appointment, and online resources to help you navigate your degree!

Academic Skills

A Message from Academic Skills

Balancing exams and final papers during this time can sometimes result in less sleep and care for yourself. Here are some tips for finding balance during the end of a busy term.

Prioritize sleep. Research shows us a significant relationship between sleep, memory, and overall cognitive functioning. While it can be tempting to pull an all-nighter to cram for that exam, consider the power of sleep! To help yourself wind down from a busy or stressful day, try to identify three things you can do to help cue your body that it's time for sleep. You might listen to a podcast, read a book, put your phone away, enjoy a cup of chamomile tea (try and avoid caffeine!), or write three things that made you smile during the day in a journal.

Remember to eat and hydrate. It can be easy to forget these things when we're overwhelmed. Try packing a water bottle and snacks with you wherever you go. In need of a snack? Stop by your College Office. 

Schedule time for you. Do you sometimes feel guilty when you take a break? This is a common feeling when we have many tasks to do, but it's important to acknowledge that we need to care for ourselves in order to work on the tasks before us. Try making a realistic and specific to-do list for your day and include breaks and time for you on that list; intentionally planning for this important time can help us avoid feeling guilty for taking it. Seeing it on your list can also be a nice reminder and motivator!

Acknowledge test stress and make a plan. If you typically experience exam anxiety or test stress, consider exploring the Academic Skills Exam Guide where you'll find strategies for studying, writing exams, and managing test stress. If you'd like to learn more and speak with an Academic Skills instructor, book an appointment at www.trentu.ca/sep. 

Best wishes as you finish the term!

Natalie Nelson

Academic Skills Instructor

Lady Eaton College

What’s Coming Up at LEC?

And that’s a wrap on LEC’s fall events! We here at the college office want to thank everyone who attended our events this semester - you made them a shining success. We’re looking forward to all the events we have planned for the winter semester. Keep an eye on the Drumline and our social media so you don’t miss out on the fun!

In the meantime, we asked our LEC Ambassadors how they practice self care during exam season. Here’s what they had to say:

• Karilin: Plenty of sleep and eating brain power foods

• Kaleigh: Drinking chamomile tea (with honey) and making time for friends and family

• Ashley: Listening to good study music, and calling my parents to cheer me up when I’m overwhelmed

• Isabelle: Having a warm drink and listen to a 5 minute guided meditation on Spotify

• Alex: Walking outside or doing a physical activity, since it helps me calm down when I'm stressed

• Maddie: I like to listen to music or play video games to de-stress and spending time with my pet rats always makes me feel a bit better (shout out to Phoebe and Flora!)

• Lakshika: Exam season is definitely stressful. To help myself, I make sure that I divide my study material into small tasks and create a to do list on white board. In this way I create a plan for the day. This helps me in covering all the content. When I put the check mark beside the tasks I have completed, it makes me feel accomplished. I make sure that I drink plenty of water throughout the day and sleep on time the day before exams. Drinking water or herbal tea helps overcome the lethargic feeling while studying.
  All the best everyone for your exams!

Musings on Music

Hello fellow LEC people!

For this column, I’m matching the theme of this week’s column (self-care), and my suggestions are (what I describe as) chill songs. These songs are slow, melodic, easy songs to relax to - whether you’re meditating, or looking for study music, or simply trying to ‘chill out’. The suggestions of the week are:

• Only in My Dreams, by The Marias

• On the Level, by Mac Demarco

• Jonny, by Faye Webster

• All Night, by Men I Trust

• Sleepwalk, by Santo & Johnny

• Call Me, by 90sFlav

• Creep, Radiohead

Bookish Babbles

Happy Monday LEC!

I hope everyone is taking care of themselves this exam season. Make sure to take breaks, get lots of sleep, and drink some water! The finish line is in sight! With that in mind, I want to recommend a book this week for reading over the winter break. Personally, I spend most of my break reading and trying to reach my reading goal for the year (19 of 25 books so far - I’m hopeful I can reach my goal).

Recommendation: 10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston! Young adult romance! Familial relationships! Winter cheer! This funny romance book is the perfect heartwarming read for the winter and holiday season!

Swampy n’ Friends

Upcoming Events Around Campus

Did you take a course this term that you found particularly inspiring or engaging? Do you know an instructor who embraced creative and innovative teaching methods to support student learning and critical thinking? Help recognize excellent teaching in the disciplines by nominating the instructor for a Decanal Award for Teaching Excellence or Outstanding Graduate Mentorship in the appropriate division. 

Further details about the 2023-2024 awards can be found on the Centre for Teaching and Learning website. The current nomination window is open from December 7 – December 18, 2023.

Are you in the final year of your program at Trent? Are you creative, curious about the world, and involved in your community? Are you intrigued by a career in media?

Enter the world of possibilities with the CBC Radio Peter Gzowski Internship — an extraordinary opportunity for graduating students.

This paid internship runs from May to August 2024. Selected Gzowski Interns undergo a week-long training in radio production at CBC in Toronto, followed by immersive experiences in diverse aspects of radio programming. To be eligible, students must be in the final year of their undergraduate or graduate program at Trent and must be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant. 

Want to learn more?

1.      Attend the Virtual Information Session: Wednesday, January 17th, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Register here: https://trentu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcrdu-hqD4uGtQuW2mrOSbRkzVID8PoZktO

2.      Visit the information page on the Careerspace website for more details and application instructions.

Deadline to Apply: Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 8:30 a.m.

The application process involves submitting several documents, so interested students should leave enough time to develop a strong application. 

Application packages and questions can be emailed to Hannah Neff - hneff@trentu.ca.

Best of luck to all applicants!

Careerspace Resources

Careerspace is here to help you get a jump start on your career! With practical hands-on experiences, workshops, online resources, and career counseling, our services are available to students all year round! Careerspace services are available over the phone, or virtually; students can book the following appointments through their Student Experience Portal.

Visit our office on the 3rd floor of the Student Centre, send us an email, call, or book an appointment on trentu.ca/SEP and start preparing for your future. And remember, don’t wait ‘til you graduate, we’re here to help now! Looking to stay up to date with Careerspace? Connect with our socials: @trentucareerspace on Instagram, @tucareerspace on Twitter, and Trent University Careerspace on Facebook. Book your appointment now!

Follow the following links to find some of our helpful resources, including: upcoming workshops, current community research projects, and in-course bursary options!

And that's all for now... Just kidding, you know we can't end without a toad pun!