New year, or new at YorkU; in this episode, we’re listening to YU!   

You might be used to this part of the description telling you about our guest, but in this episode, the spotlight’s on YU. We flipped the mic at Orientation Week’s Well-Being Fest to hear how students plan to use York’s resources, care for themselves, and help build a positive campus community. 

From hitting the Tait gym to practicing simple acts of kindness like sharing a smile, York students had plenty of ideas for staying well and supporting one another. Tune in for quick, meaningful insights that might just inspire your own wellness goals for 2026; so tell me, how do you plan on taking care of YU this year? 

Resources:

Academic Advising  - Take advantage of the support offered to you by the academic advisors at York University. Advising helps you to make informed and thoughtful decisions about your academic pathway as you progress through your program. 

Athletics and Recreation - York Athletics and Recreation is on a mission to transform the people we touch by leading the creation of a proud engaged campus; dedicating ourselves to excellence; investing in leaders and championing physical activity, sport and wellness. 

Housing Services - Housing Services offers a variety of housing options to suit your needs and preferences from traditional-style to suite-style rooms. Be a part of a vibrant and engaged community where students can learn, laugh and grow in a safe and inclusive environment. 

Libraries - York University Library System is an essential resource for academic success, offering access to rich collections, workshops, inspirational and inclusive spaces and unique expertise to prepare students and researchers for success in a global environment. Our four libraries include Bronfman Business Library, Steacie Science and Engineering Library, Leslie Frost Library/Bibliothèque Leslie Frost and Scott Library which is also home to our Media Creation Lab, which provides equitable access to space, equipment and resources for students and researchers who are creating multimedia as part of their learning and research. 

Maps & Directions - For complete details about traveling to York University please refer to the Keele Campus section of the Maps & Directions page. 

Parking & Parking Rates  - For parking information please refer to the Parking Services site. 

Safety Support Services  - There are a number of different resources and services available to help keep our community safe and provide support to community members. Please refer to them on the Safety website. 

Student Accessibility Services - Student Accessibility Services provides academic accommodation and support to York students in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Policy on accessible education for students with disabilities and York University Senate Policy on Academic Accommodation for Students with Disabilities. 

Student Counselling, Health & Well-being  - Student Counselling, Health & Well-being offers a range of supports to students including Walk-in Counselling, Emergency Support, Short-term Counselling, Process Group Counselling and LGBTQ2S+ Support.  

Student Financial Services  - Learn important information about fees, financial aid, scholarships, awards & awards, the work/study program and more at Student Financial Services. 

Transportation Services - Transportation Services encourage commuting to the University as an alternative to single occupant vehicles, and supports community members in taking public transit, carpooling, biking, and walking. 

York International - York International is here to assist all international students, as well as domestic and international students who wish to study or work abroad. We look forward to welcoming you in person and answering your questions. Please make sure to visit us when you are on campus - we are here to help! And be sure to explore our website. 

York University Bookstore  - Buy all your essential textbooks, school supplies, YorkU clothing and more right on campus, at the York University Bookstore. 

YU-card - York University's official ID and debit card, the YU-card. 

YU Connect - YU Connect is York University's online system for getting involved and tracking your out-of-classroom experience in a revolutionary way. It

YU Prep - YU Prep is a series of online modules and workshops designed for incoming first year students. Developed and taught by York University instructors and student services professionals, YU Prep modules invite you to explore, study and engage with different subjects to support your successful transition to university. 

Susu B.: Hey YU. Welcome to your future favorite podcast, if it's not already well-being and you with your host Susu B. You've been listening to us for a while. Now it's our turn to listen to you. In this mini episode, we flip over the microphones to York University students who we met at this year's Well-being fest. In the episode we interview students about their knowledge of services on campus, self-care tips and creating a positive environment for others well-being on campus. So, let's hear what you had to say. Which York U resource or service do you think you'll definitely use and why?

Susu B.: Wonderful. That sounds great. We actually have an episode with the Career center so that be a great thing to use.

Student.: Thank you. For me personally, I've used academic advising quite a bit because they've helped me find the right courses and the right requirements for the courses and they've helped me plan out my academics for this year.

Susu B.: That's wonderful. I think that's a great resource for first year students in particular just so they know what they're really doing. That's amazing. Thank you so much.

Student: I use some of the job search resources. I think they are somehow beginners, love to have them more advanced ones and I attended some sports events. I really enjoyed it. But they said they need more funding for them to continue. I hope there will be more funding for them and yeah, that's all.

Susu B.: Thank you so much. I really love that you had actual suggestions for the university. I love that and I'm sure they will appreciate it as well.

Susu. B: What is your self-care plan to ensure that you are prioritizing well-being throughout the upcoming school year?

Student.: Get your vegetables in, get your steroids in, workout.

Student: And Tate, I've heard that they have nice boxing class. So, enroll and enjoy.

Susu B.: That's perfect. Yeah, I heard about boxing at York. It's a new club so that's definitely something I'm going to be checking out. Thank you.

Student: So, I'm definitely going to take a lot of breaks just so I can, you know, really relax because I know that I just need like to walk and like clear my mind. Like that's the number one thing I use.

Susu B.: Yes, Walking. Going on a wellness walk. That's mindfulness. That's exactly what you need to do sometimes.

Student.: I'll be planning to. I'll probably watch some TV shows during my spare time, or I'll hang out with friends. I think that's beautiful and very real because I feel like people really overthink the idea of self-care. But it could be as simple as that. It doesn't have to be anything too complex.

Susu B.: Exactly.

Susu B.: Thank you so much.

Susu B.: What are some things students could do to help create a positive environment and help with the well-being of others on campus?

Student: I think one way to spread positivity could be to just say hi to anyone that you pass by and to try to be as friendly as possible.

Susu B.: That's a beautiful way. It's really the simple things. Yes. Thank you so much.

Student: So, it's a very sensitive question. Right. But I feel like specifically students towards other students, they understand better how other students are going through mental health issues and stuff like that. Where I feel like a lot of times other students feel that their professors or mental health therapists, they're just too professional in order to, you know, help them out and understand what they're going through. So, I feel like just you know, walking by and just asking hey, or just complimenting someone or just sitting by and like introducing yourself and being like, hey, you're doing good. Specifically, the seniors. So, I feel like the bigger students, they can act as a shield and you know, really share their experience. And specifically, like international students as well, they have a lot of change, you know, cultural shock and. Yeah, pretty much that's it.

Susu B.: Perfect. That's a perfect answer. It's really as simple as just being thoughtful and like checking in on one another. That's just a simple thing that you could do. And I know you're a psychology major as well, so I feel like that's something that resonates with it.

Student: Yeah. So, I feel like mental health for international students and students in general is not taken seriously. And I feel like a lot of people in general, like professionals, they don't look into it as much. But if you actually look into the research, it's really, really dangerous. People think like they downplay like students and their problems, but it's actually really serious.

Susu B.: I totally agree. I feel like it's so easy to just go to a dentist appointment or schedule time for like a specialist appointment, but when it's, when it comes to mental health, it's really like not as important or that's the stigma. and it shouldn't be because, it could lead to other actual physical health problems just like a stroke. So, I totally understand that. But thank you so much. I appreciated your answer. Thank you, thank you.

Susu B.: Wow. You all had some amazing insights to share. did you learn something new about York Youth Services self-care strategies or ways to build a positive environment? Maybe you even have a few tips of your own? And for those of you who shared your school year resolutions, did you stick to them by utilizing resources, prioritizing self-care, or making a positive impact on campus? We'll check back in and hear from you in the next mini episode of the well Being and YU podcast. You can find links to all the services our student guests mentioned in the show notes for this episode along with more valuable information, tips and resources. Visit our website at go.yorku.ca/wbpodcast. Click on the episode's link and look for the episode Wellness Student Conversations on well Being. This episode was co-produced by the well Being and YU Podcast team. Our podcast coordinator is Prabhleen Luthra, our technical editor is Ethan Muir and I'm your host Susu B. Thank you for listening.