Wellbeing Calendar

Social activities

• Game night with Boosted Gryffins – 27 March

  It's-a me, Mario! Join for a game night with the Boosted Gryffins!

  From 18:00 we'll be playing all kinds of video games! Feel free to join for however long you want. You can find all information and the registration form on our Insta or join our Whatsapp group! If you don't have Insta, you can sign up here. For other questions, you can send us an email at 3D@vu.nl.

  Practical information

  • Date & time: Friday, 27 March 2026 from 18:00 (you can come later if you want and you decide when you want to leave :-)
  • Location: 3D room
  • Audience: VU students
  • Language: English and Dutch
  • Insta
  • WhatsApp group
  • Sign up here if you don't have Insta
  • For further questions, you can send an email to 3D@vu.nl.

• Far-right ideology: our campus and society – 30 March

  A conversation about tolerance, safety and our sphere of influence

  Experts point to a return of far-right ideology, neo-fascist tendencies, and their normalization in our society. Our VU campus is no exception. In response to an incident on the VU campus last November, theater maker Simcha Zijlstra and former Member of Parliament Daniëlle Hirsch recently wrote in Het Parool: "If we truly want to learn from history, we must acknowledge that the Holocaust, the murder of 6 million Jews, was the outcome of a horribly recognizable process that is still unfolding worldwide today. That process begins with normalizing it." Danielle and Simcha believe that intervention is necessary. This means, for example, that we should not commemorate the Holocaust as an unrepeatable and unique event, but as a man-made disaster that can happen again, in a new guise, with new victims, fueled by the same mechanisms of hatred, dehumanization, and apathy as in the 1930s and 1940s.

  But what does this mean for the presence of far-right sympathies on our campus, and how does this fit into a broader picture of exclusion and the undermining of democracy and the rule of law? Is this fascism or not? And if so, why do we find it difficult to call it that? What can we, as the VU community, do within our broader society to collectively help halt this process?

  Join the discussion with Simcha and Danielle in 3D on March 30th. During this meeting, we aim to create space for discussion about fear and perceived powerlessness on our campus and the university's perspectives for action in relation to society.

  Simcha Zijlstra is a theater maker and activist. Danielle Hirsch is an economist and former Member of Parliament for GroenLinks/PvdA.

  Practical information

  • Date & time: Monday, 30 March 2026 4:00 – 5:30 pm
  • Location: debate centre 3D, in the W&N building across the volleyball fields
  • Audience: VU students and staff
  • Language: English
  • Free event
  • Please sign up here
  • For questions you can send an email to 3D.

• Latin ballroom workshop – 31 March

  Join us for a fun Ballroom Latin workshop where you'll learn basic steps of some typical dance styles like Cha cha!

  You can find all information and the registration form on our Insta or join our Whatsapp group! If you don't have Insta, you can sign up here. For other questions, you can send us an email at 3D@vu.nl.

  Practical information

  • Date & time: Tuesday, 31 March 2026 from 18:00 (you can come later if you want and you decide when you want to leave :-)
  • Location: 3D room
  • Audience: VU students
  • Language: English and Dutch
  • Insta
  • WhatsApp group
  • Sign up here if you don't have Insta
  • For further questions, you can send an email to 3D@vu.nl.

• Walk during your day @VU – 2 April

  On Thursday, April 2nd is the national Walk While You Work Day. From VU in Motion, we are of course participating - but in a VU way: Walk During Your VU Day! Will you walk with us?

  Walking is the way to combine health, productivity and fun during your day at VU. Get away from your screen, get some fresh air, recharge your batteries and catch up with colleagues and fellow students. Because a short walk does wonders for your focus, creativity and mood.

  Programme

  • 12:45 - Gather at the Student Wellbeing Point (SWP).
  • 12:55 - Start of a walk (max. 30 minutes)
  • ±13.25 - Back at the SWP for coffee or tea and a delicious banana sandwich

  Whether you come for the exercise, the fun or the banana bread: you are most welcome. Bring your colleagues and college friends - together is more fun!

  Bonus: among all participants we raffle a nice individual prize.

  Sign up quickly!

  See you then!

• Great Minds Close Reading: Maya Angelou #1 – 8 April

  What does it mean to grow up in a society shaped by racism and inequality? In this edition of Great Minds we will read excerpts from I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou.

  In this edition of the Great Minds series, we will read excerpts from I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. In this autobiographical work, Angelou reflects on her childhood and her experiences with racism, trauma and personal growth. The book tells a powerful story about finding one’s voice and offers a meaningful starting point for reflection and conversation. 

  What are we reading? 
  I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is an autobiographical work by Maya Angelou in which she recounts her childhood and youth. The book explores themes such as racism, identity, trauma and resilience. Angelou’s story shows how personal experiences are connected to broader social realities, and how language, literature, and community can play an important role in finding one’s voice. 

  What is the event? 
  In each session, we will read a few pages from this book. Don't worry, you don't need to prepare anything! We will select the pages and bring them with us. At 4 p.m., we will have a short walk-in in 3D with coffee, tea, and cookies. Once we are seated, we will briefly introduce the event, the author, and the text for that day. Then we will get to work and read and discuss the text together; what strikes you? What appeals to you, or doesn't? We will exchange ideas, and around 5:30 p.m. we will conclude the session. 

  Where is 3D? 
  You can find the entrance to 3D on the campus square, next to the Spar supermarket. It has 3D in lights in the window, and a big gnome on the steps that lead to the door.

  Who is NEWConnective? 
  This event is organised by NEWConnective. NEWConnective organises events around life's bigger questions. We engage with themes like grief, spirituality, and much more. Find out more on our website (vu.nl/newconnective) or on our socials (@newconnective). If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out via email to newconnective@vu.nl.

  Practical information

  • Dates & time: Wednesday, 8, 15 & 22 April 2026 16:00 - 17:30
  • Location: 3D room
  • Language: English
  • Please sign up here
  • Organised by NEWConnective.

• 'VU in Motion - Kar' introduction week – 9 to 16 April

  Sportcentrum VU brings movement to you!

  During the intro week for the 'VU in Motion - Kar', this new addition will be on the campus square and everyone can get acquainted with the sporty content of the cart.
  
  Drop by between work or college and try low-threshold activities like pickleball, bocce ball, spike ball and more - just in your normal clothes.

  Thursday, 9 April to 16 April 2026

  • Daily 12:00-13:00.
  • Campus square - calisthenics park.
  • Free walk-in (no registration required).
  • Guidance present.

• In Conversation: dialogue session VU community #4 – 14 April

  What if we created more space at VU for real conversations about war, peace, academic freedom and our wellbeing as a community? Join the fourth university-wide dialogue on 14 April 2026: 'In Conversation'.

  Why this series?
  In Conversation is a year-long dialogue series that creates space for open and respectful conversations within the VU community. Together, we explore how we deal with social tensions, differences of opinion and the search for connection. 

  This series is part of an broader national initiative by Dutch universities to strengthen dialogue on academic freedom. At VU, we give it our own meaning by talking, listening and learning together.

  What to expect
  An open and safe gathering where everyone at VU is welcome: students, lecturers, researchers and support staff. You, as a participant, decide which themes we will discuss. You do not need to prepare anything. Together, we will discover what matters to us and where the conversation leads.

  You can expect:

  • Space to talk about what truly concerns you
  • Small dialogue groups guided by trained facilitators
  • Encounters between students and staff from different faculties and backgrounds
  • A collective reflection without names or judgments

  Possible conversation themes include:

  • The role of the university in times of war and peace
  • Freedom of speech and academic freedom
  • Wellbeing, safety and connection on campus
  • Living together in a diverse community

  Join us!

  Every voice matters. Whether you are a student, researcher, lecturer or staff member, your participation helps bring different perspectives to the table. Together we make VU a place where genuine dialogue can grow. 

  Practical information

  • Date: Tuesday, 14 April 2026 
  • Time: t.b.d. 
  • Location: t.b.d.
  • Language: English 
  • Organised by: CTL, 3D and the Network Science in Dialogue

• DNA dialogues part 1: Editing the DNA of Future Generations – 14 April

  At present it is prohibited. But in theory it is possible to modify the DNA of human embryos. 

  If you alter the DNA of an embryo, you change the DNA of future generations as well. How can we incorporate the voices of those future generations into the choices we make today? In this interactive dialogue we will engage in a conversation with the future to better understand the decisions we can make today. 

  Britta van Beers, professor of law, ethics and biotechnology at the VU department of legal theory and legal history, will guide us in ethical and legal opportunities and pitfalls in the future of human germline editing.

  Moderation by Eef Grob and also participating is Marianne Lamers, journalist NEMO Kennislink and Marcia van Woensel.

  Practical information

  • Date & time: Tuesday, 14 April 2026 3:30 – 5:00 pm
  • Location: debate centre 3D, in the W&N building across the volleyball fields
  • Audience: VU students and staff
  • Language: English
  • No need to sign up
  • Free event
  • For questions you can send an email to 3D.

• Book Club: The Fire Next Time #1 – 14 April

  In November 1962 James Baldwin’s essay “Letter from a Region of My Mind” appeared in The New Yorker. It would become a marker in USA civil rights history — his plea to ‘end the racial nightmare’ was too conciliatory for some, yet transformative for others. His reflection on race, religion & society is essential reading for our own day and age.

  The Library Book Club is everybody’s book club. Fancy a refreshing read, a change of scenery and a nourishing encounter? Come and read The Fire Next Time with us! 

  About the book and its author 
  The Fire Next Time consists of two essays: the latter is “Down at the Cross,” which appeared in The New Yorker on 10 and 17 November 1962 under the title “Letter from a Region of My Mind;” and the former ”My Dungeon Shook,” which is a letter Baldwin wrote to his nephew a few months later, on occasion of the 100-year anniversary of the emancipation of all enslaved people in the USA. It is in this chronological order that the Library Book Club will read the essays. 

  James Baldwin (1924 – 1987) grew up in Harlem, New York City, and was a writer of novels, essays, poems and plays; as well as civil rights activist and public intellectual. At age 24, he left New York City for Paris, where he lived nine years, and which would be a gateway for years of travel across Eurasia and Africa. It is in this context, of observing his home country from abroad and hearing of the civil rights movement, that he wrote the two essays at hand. 

  In The Fire Next Time Baldwin manages a societal critique that is deeply personal, clear cut yet loving, and activating. In our own time, that is seemingly defined by fracture, it is worthwhile to sit with his observant, patient and invigorating analysis. What can we learn from Baldwin’s portrayal of race, religion and society in our own context; and what would we have to add? 

  “… America and all the Western nations will be forced to re-examine themselves and release themselves from many things that are now taken to be sacred, and to discard nearly all the assumptions that have been used to justify their lives and their anguish and their crimes so long.” -James Baldwin, “Down at the Cross,” The Fire Next Time (Penguin, 2024): p. 34. 

  Practicalities 

  • We’ve picked the Penguin Modern Classics edition of 2024 as a reference point (ISBN 9780140182750), so page numbers align with that edition. 
  • For the first session we’ll be discussing pp. 9 – 36, which is the opening of the essay “Down at the Cross” (until the break at ‘… we got rid of Him.’). For session two, we read on till p. 61 (break at ‘… at the enemy’s door.’); and for session three we finish “Down at the Cross” (till p. 78) and read “My Dungeon Shook” (pp. 1 – 8). 
  • This book club season consists of three biweekly sessions on Tuesdays 14 April, 28 April and 12 May; you’re not obliged to participate all sessions. 
  • The location is the Library Lounge, at the entry of the University Library in the Main Building (HG-01A01). 
  • There’s no need to sign up. If you’d like to receive updates and also to vote for books in the future, you can join the group chat (WhatsApp). 

  Schedule 

  • 5:30 p.m. walk-in: you’re welcome to come in early, to bridge time or to bring and have dinner. 
  • 6:15 p.m. opening: we kick off with a round of introductions, and a brief introduction of the book. 
  • 6:25 p.m. group discussion: we share our experience and findings reading the book so far. 
  • 7:25 p.m. summarising: we look ahead to the next session and summarise today’s session. 
  • 7:45 p.m. end or socialising: we end the session, although you’re welcome to stick around until the building closes. 

  About the Library Book Club 
  The Library Book Club is for anyone roaming VU campus. We read a few books each year, and try to throw something new into the mix each time; passing fiction and non-fiction, poetry and prose, short stories and longer ones along the way. Our librarians select three candidates for a season and you get to vote. If you’d like to engage with this group more often, the easiest way to get involved is through the group chat (WhatsApp). 

  Practical information

  • Dates: Tuesday, 14 April, 28 April & 12 May 2026 
  • Start: 6:15 p.m. 
  • End: 7:45 p.m. 
  • Location: Library Lounge (HG-1A) 
  • Language: English 
  • Book edition: Penguin, 2024 
  • Read: pp. 9 – 36 
  • No need to sign up!

• Open stage – 16 April

  You can once again join 3D for Open Stage evenings organized by students from the Bachelor's in Creative Writing and Master's in Literary Studies.

  An evening to enjoy each other's readings. And an opportunity to present something yourself, such as a short story, poetry, a column, or a song. It all comes down to your own creativity. You have complete freedom to try something out, alone or with others.

  Would you like to present something? Send a message to Naomi at n.a.bak@student.vu.nl or +31 6 3092 9237. Please keep your presentation to a maximum of ten minutes. And of course, you must show up. But even if you don't want to present anything and just want to listen, you're more than welcome.

  The evening starts at 7:00 p.m. There's an opportunity to eat together beforehand in the VU canteen (around 6:00 p.m). You can grab something there, or bring your own food and heat it up.

  Practical information

  • Date & time: Thursday, 16 April & 26 June 2026 19:00 – 21:00 
  • Location: debate centre 3D, in the W&N building across the volleyball fields
  • Audience: VU students and staff
  • Language: Mainly Dutch
  • Free event
  • No need to sign up, only let us now if you want to present something by sending an email 
  • For questions you can send an email to Naomi.

• Workshop Beyond Listening: Navigating Impasse – 21 April

  There are times when we might feel we have reached the end of a conversation. The point where words exchanged are no longer being heard. Sometimes we reach an impasse. What is supposed to happen next?

  Join the Goethe-Institut in collaboration with NEWConnective and Nthabiseng Shongwe in the 3D room for a follow-up workshop exploring questions like: How do we stay in conversation without losing ourselves?
  How do we hold patience, boundaries, and curiosity at the same time? When convictions clash, when trust feels fragile, when the distance between us does not easily close, how do we move forward?

  In this interactive session, we move beyond listening as a skill and into the moments where it is tested. Together, we will explore practical tools for staying in conversation through difficulty — working with real-life scenarios, shared experiences, and guided reflection. Participants will leave with language, strategies, and a deeper capacity to navigate disagreement, hold boundaries, and find ways forward where conversation feels stuck.

  Practical information

  • Date & time: Tuesday, 21 April 2026 4:00 – 5:30 pm
  • Location: debate centre 3D, in the W&N building across the volleyball fields
  • Audience: All interested in the topic
  • Language: English
  • Free event
  • Please sign up here
  • For questions you can send an email to 3D.

• DNA dialogues part 2: Exploring human rights and DNA editing – 22 April

  At present it is prohibited. But in theory it is possible to modify the DNA of human embryos. 

  If you alter the DNA of an embryo, you change the DNA of future generations as well. The ethical debate on human germline editing often refers to human rights, such as ‘equality’ or ‘human dignity’. But what exactly do we mean by those terms? Is ‘unedited DNA’ a human right, or are we entitled to be free of hereditary diseases? In this interactive dialogue we explore legal concepts on DNA editing. 

  Laura Jacobs, PhD candidate at the VU department of legal theory and legal history, will help us in navigate these so called ‘open norms’.

  Moderation by Eef Grob and also participating is Marianne Lamers, journalist NEMO Kennislink, and Marcia van Woensel.

  Practical information

  • Date & time: Wednesday, 22 April 2026 3:30 – 5:00 pm
  • Location: debate centre 3D, in the W&N building across the volleyball fields
  • Audience: VU students and staff
  • Language: English
  • Free event
  • No need to sign up
  • For questions you can send an email to 3D.

Sports & wellbeing

• HYROX VU Simulation:  2nd edition – 29 March

  After a successful first edition, we kept hearing one question over and over again: “When is the next one?”. Good news: the second HYROX VU Simulation is scheduled for March 29!Experience again (or for the first time) what it's like to complete a full HYROX race.

  Preparing for HYROX?
  Follow our HYROX Training Club group lessons and use this simulation as the ultimate test towards a real HYROX race.

  Dates & Tickets
  Sunday, March 29, 2026

  Singles
  Check-in: 10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
  Opening & explanation: 10:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
  Start simulation: 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  Tickets: €10 student | €20 regular

  Buy your singles ticket here

  Doubles (per team)
  Check-in: 2:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
  Opening & Explanation: 2:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
  Start simulation: 2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  Tickets: €20 student | €40 regular

  Buy your doubles ticket here

  Please note: If you want to buy a ticket at the student price, make sure you are registered as a student in our system before purchasing a ticket. Please come to the desk and show your registration.

  More information

• Connective breathwork – 31 March

  During this session you will experience connected breathing, a guided breathing technique that can help release tension and bring more awareness to the body. 

  During this session you will get acquainted with connected breathing, a breathing technique in which the inhale and exhale flow into each other without a pause. This way of breathing can help release tension, calm the nervous system and increase body awareness. For some people it may also bring up emotions that usually receive less space. 

  The afternoon begins with an arrival meditation in which you can gently settle into your body and the space. After that there will be a short explanation of connected breathing. A certified breath coach will then guide the connected breath session itself. 

  After the breathing experience there will be time to lie down and allow the experience to integrate. We will close with a short sharing moment where participants can share what they experienced. 

  The session will take place on March 31 from 4:00 to 5:30 PM in a room next to the Mindful Library on the twelfth floor of the VU library. 

  The session is free and accessible for VU students (and possibly staff). 

  Practical information

  • Date & time: Tuesday, 31 March 2026 15:40 - 17:30
  • Location: HG-12B02 (Main Building, next to the Mindful Library on the twelfth floor of the VU library)
  • Audience: VU students (and possibly staff)
  • Please sign up here
  • Organised by NEWConnective.

• Spring Grief Café – 1 April

  Are you mourning the loss of someone dear to you? Join this open space for grief. You’re welcome to share your experience, as well as listen to others’ experiences.

  Our Grief Cafés are a low-key way to share about your mourning experience. It’s an open space, in which everyone is invited to speak about their process and feelings. 

  A bit scared to join? No worries: we have built in ways to communicate the degree in which you want to share; so you can also join the Grief Café if you are unsure about how much you want to open up.

  What to expect?

  After a short walk-in, we'll introduce the Grief Café and open up the space with a small reading of poetry and lighting a candle. We have brought questions with us, that we will discuss taking turns. This way, everyone can share about their experiences and listen to those of others. After we have discussed the questions, we will have a little wind down with coffee and tea. After this, you can share your own questions and thoughts. You're welcome to join, whether it's your first time talking about your experience or it's something you speak about regularly.

  Programme

  • 4:00: Walk-in with coffee and tea 
  • 4:10: Short introduction 
  • 4:15: Guided conversation 
  • 5:00: Summary and round-off 
  • 5:10: Coffee and tea to wind down
  • 5:30: End of the Grief Café

  Practical information

  • Date & time: Wednesday, 1 April 2026 16:00 - 17:30
  • Location: 3D room
  • It is not necessary to sign up!
  • Organised by: NEWConnective

• Exploring Breath: A Living Circle Experience – 1 April

  An invitation to slow down and reconnect with one of the most essential yet often unnoticed aspects of our lives: the breath.

  This gathering is a gentle exploration of what breathing means to us—physically, emotionally, and creatively. Rather than focusing on intense release, we approach breath with curiosity.

  We begin with a soft arrival and a welcome circle, where we meet each other, connect to the Living Circle project, and set personal intentions for the experience.

  From there, we move into a gentle breathwork session, guiding attention inward to notice sensations, rhythms, and the subtle ways breath moves through the body. This is an invitation to observe, feel, and deepen your relationship with conscious breathing at your own pace.

  Following this, an art expression session offers space to translate your experience into form. We close with a sharing circle and food, creating space to reflect, connect, and integrate the experience together.

  Programme

  • Walk-in (15 minutes)
  • Welcome Circle (30 minutes)
  • Gentle Breath Exploration (1 hour)
  • Art Expression Session (1 hour)
  • Sharing Circle & Food (1 hour)

  Practical information

  • Date & time: Wednesday, 1 April 2026 18:00 - 20:00
  • Location: 3D room | VU Dialogue Stage
  • Language: English
  • Organised by 3D
  • If you have any questions, please contact 3D at 3D@vu.nl.

• Mourning Group – 12 May to 30 June

  NEWConnective organizes a Mourning Group for students who are mourning someone who has passed away.

  There is no manual for mourning. Everyone grieves in their own unique way.

  Death is part of life, but that does not lessen the impact it has on your life. The sadness can be so overwhelming that it may feel like your whole world has collapsed and seems like life has lost all its luster. Your concentration can drop, which in turn can affect your study results. You may feel empty and aimless, angry, withdrawn, or confused still. At first, people are caring and concerned, but after a while, it can seem like no one has room for your grief anymore. The sadness is something that stays and that is normal. There is no manual for mourning. Everyone grieves in their own unique way. A grief group of students who have experienced something similar can offer you support. 

  What is the mourning group? The group consists of a 1 on 1 intake moment with Lenneke the facilitator of the group. And six group sessions, in which you can share your experiences with loss. Lenneke occasionally provides background information on aspects of grief. 

  The purpose of the mourning group is to share stories and find recognition in the emotions and experiences of others, within a free and safe space for every participant. 

  Is this the place for me? The group is open to every student in Amsterdam, regardless of background or belief. The only condition is that the loss you wish to discuss is not very recent. If you have any doubts about this, please email us and we will discuss it together. Prior to participation, there will be an intake interview in which you will meet Lenneke and discuss your needs.

  Practical information

  There is space for six students in the group. You can register by sending an email to newconnective@vu.nl.  

  Dates of the intake interviews:

  • Intake interviews 1: Tuesday, 5 May, between 16.00 and 19.00.
  • Intake intervieuws 2: Wednesday, 6 May, between 16.00 and 19.00.

  Dates of the mourning group:

  • Session 1: Tuesday, 12 May, 17.00 - 19.00.
  • Session 2: Tuesday,  19 May, 17.00 - 19.00.
  • Session 3: Tuesday, 26 May, 17.00 - 19.00.
  • Session 4: Tuesday, 2 June, 17.00 - 19.00.
  • Session 5: Tuesday, 9 June, 17.00 - 19.00.
  • Session 6: Tuesday, 16 June, 17.00 - 19.00.
  • Session 7: Tuesday, 23 June, 17.00 - 19.00.
  • Session 8: Tuesday, 30 June, 17.00 - 19.00.

  The location is yet to be announced.

• VU in Motion – every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday

  You are welcome to join us for a short, fun exercise break during your work or study day! Just wear your regular clothes!

  Programme
  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we offer 15-minute Qi Gong at 12.30 p.m., until October again outside on the campus square, near the new Calisthenics park.
  
  Following this, on those days there is free walk-in Calisthenics until 1.15 p.m., which means an instructor will be present to offer you some no-obligation help and inspiration!

  On Wednesdays at 12.15 p.m., it's time for Standing Yoga, whose starting point remains in the hall of the OZW.

  More information on VU in motion

• Meditation sessions – twice a week

  Need a break? Come and join our meditation sessions in the VU Stilteruimte (HG 1A-53) and in the Mindful Library (HG 12B-02) - we offer sessions two times a week.

  We will provide 20 to 30-minute guided meditations. You can find more information on time and place below. 

  It doesn’t matter if you have a load of meditation experience, or if you are just a beginner. No need to bring anything; mats, cushions and stools are provided. Just wear something that will sit comfortably on your body for 20 to 30 minutes. 

  The meditations occur in the VU Silence Room (HG 1A-53) and sometimes in the Mindful Library (HG 12B-02). You can find this space on the 12^th floor in the library tower. 

  If you want to stay up to date, join our Whatsapp chat for any last-minute updates and changes in the schedule. Here, you can also connect with others who are interested in meditation and mindfulness!

Workshops & training sessions

• Three ways to improve your study Module 3: Take action – 2 April 

  Psychologists reveal: THREE WAYS to improve your study (and personal) life!!!

  You are ready to change (the way you study), but are not sure how to get started. 

  This module is part of three modules offered by the VU student psychological counsellor. The focus is on themes that students regularly tell us they struggle with: procrastination, stress and feeling stuck in a negative spiral. 

  The aim of each module is to give you insights into your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours - and a set of practical tools that you can use when you hit the books. 

  A series consists of three modules that you can follow consecutively or separately. It is not obligatory to do all three; you sign up for a single module. This makes it more easily accessible and demand driven. The modules may also be a nice refresher for students who previously met with a student psychological counsellor or completed a training or workshop! 

  In this module we work on behaviour. Sometimes you want to change, but where do you start? We spend time on helping you gain an overview, of both your short- and long-term plans. This is about taking action and getting a grip on your day. Useful for everyone: whether you procrastinate, like to socialise, or cannot see the wood for the trees. 

  Other modules in the series:

  • Working on... understanding your negative spiral
  • Working on... finding your personal balance

  Dates

  • Thursday, 2 April 2026, 13:00-14:00 (VU campus)
  • Wednesday, 20 May 2026, 10:00-11:00 (VU campus).

  This module is also offered in Dutch. For more information and registration go to this page.

  Check out the full range of workshops and training courses on the page Courses to optimize studying.

• Improve your concentration – 8 & 15 April (online)

  Get a grip on your attention again!

  Can you hardly bring yourself to read this text? Do you automatically reach for your smartphone when it's next to you? Does your mind constantly wander when you are at work? Can't close yourself off from the people or sounds around you? Do you often feel rushed and do less than you would like to? Do you lie in bed with a full head?

  It is time for a different approach! In this workshop you get a grip on your attention again. You learn about the ins and outs of attention management and you practise with various concentration techniques. After this course: You know how your brain deals with distractions. You discover how you can better arm yourself against these distractions. You will experience more peace in your head and body.

  This training course includes 2 sessions and will take place on: 

  • Wednesday, 8 & 15 April 2026, 18:30 - 21:30 (online).

  This training course is also offered in Dutch. For more information and registration go to this page.

  Check out the full range of workshops and training courses on the page Courses to optimize studying.

• Three ways to improve your study Module 1: The negative spiral –  6 May

  Psychologists reveal: THREE WAYS to improve your study (and personal) life!!!

  You are ready to change (the way you study), but are not sure how to get started. 

  This module is part of three short modules offered by the VU student psychological counsellors. The focus is on themes that students regularly tell us they struggle with: procrastination, stress and feeling stuck in a negative spiral. 

  The aim of each module is to give you insights into your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours - and a set of practical tools that you can use when you hit the books. 

  A series consists of three modules that you can follow consecutively or separately. It is not obligatory to do all three; you sign up for a single module. This makes it more easily accessible and demand driven. The modules may also be a nice refresher for students who previously met with a student psychological counsellor or completed a training or workshop! 

  In this module we take a closer look at the negative spiral (also known as a vicious circle) you can get stuck in. This is an exercise from cognitive behavioural therapy which gives insight into the connection between what you think, feel, and do. This approach also gives you tools on how to break the spiral. 

  Other modules in the series:

  • Working on... finding your personal balance
  • Working on… taking action 

  Date 

  • Wednesday, 6 May 2026, 10:00-11:00 (VU campus).

  This module is also offered in Dutch. For more information and registration go to this page.

  Check out the full range of workshops and training courses on the page Courses to optimize studying.  

• Three ways to improve your study Module 2: Balance and relaxation – 13 May

  Psychologists reveal: THREE WAYS to improve your study (and personal) life!!!

  You are ready to change (the way you study), but are not sure how to get started. 

  This module is part of three modules offered by the VU student psychological counsellors. The focus is on themes that students regularly tell us they struggle with: procrastination, stress and feeling stuck in a negative spiral. 

  The aim of each module is to give you insights into your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours - and a set of practical tools that you can use when you hit the books. 

  A series consists of three modules that you can follow consecutively or separately. It is not obligatory to do all three; you sign up for a single module. This makes it more easily accessible and demand driven. The modules may also be a nice refresher for students who previously met with a student psychological counsellor or completed a training or workshop! 

  In this module it is all about balance. When experiencing problems with procrastination or motivation, but also with stress, it is important to look at how you deal with your own energy distribution. Do you spend too much time on your studies, or too little? How do you recognise the signals your body gives that it is time to pump the brakes? With our help, take the first steps towards achieving a better balance. 

  Other modules in the series:

  • Working on... understanding your negative spiral
  • How to… take action

  Date

  • Wednesday, 13 May 2026, 10:00-11:00 (VU campus).

  This module is also offered in Dutch. For more information and registration go to this page.

  Check out the full range of workshops and training courses on the page Courses to optimize studying. 

• Work on your fear of failure – 20 May, 3 & 17 June, 1 & 15 July 2026

  In this training course you will learn to understand your own fear of failure and gain insight in your study-related stress. 

  Do you understand the material, but you still fail your exams? Is there so much to do that you can only focus on studying, or that you can do nothing at all? Do you experience so much stress before a deadline that you decide to just leave it? Do you procrastinate, have issues with concentration or motivation because an exam incites so much stress? Or do you put so much of your time and energy into studying that you do not have any fun or rest any more?

  In this training you will learn to understand your own fear of failure and gain insight in your study-related stress. Alongside various exercises and assignments you will learn how to be more in control and break your own vicious circle of anxiety. The goal is to learn to be more relaxed about studying, and about other worries that are in the way of an optimal performance.

  This training course includes 5 sessions and will take place on:

  • Wednesday, 20 May, 3 & 17 June, 1 & 15 July 2026 (22 July)^*, 13:00-15:00 (VU campus).

  ^{* back-up date}

  The training course is also offered in Dutch. For more information and registration go to this page.

  Check out the full range of workshops and training courses on the page Courses to optimize studying.

More wellbeing