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Wellbeing Calendar

Last updated on 7 July 2025
Are you looking for social activities, opportunities to develop yourself alongside your studies or options to improve your physical and mental wellbeing? Find an overview of all initiatives in the Wellbeing Calendar!

The academic year is divided into 7 blocks with corresponding themes and activities. Whether you are looking for workshops, lectures, meditation sessions, sports activities or social events, this calendar reflects the comprehensive overview of opportunities at VU to promote your wellbeing and lead a balanced life. New initiatives and activities are added to this page throughout the year.

Scroll down to discover what VU can offer you!

This month's theme: Summer is here!

Social activities

  • Speed dating – 9 July

    Join us for an evening full of fun! Meet new people, have interesting conversations and play games!

    Be aware that this event takes places in Bar Boele! 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: Wednesday, 9 July 2025 from 19:00 (you can come later if you want and you decide when you want to leave :-)
    • Location: Bar Boele
    • 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.
  • Board game night – 10 July

    Want to play board games that you don't have at home in the summer break? Join our Life is Better in 3D Board Game night and choose from one of many board games!

    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: Thursday, 10 July 2025 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.
  • DnD session – 17 July

    Adventure is out there! Join our DnD session for an afternoon filled with dragons and quests!

    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: Wednesday, 23 July 2025 from 14:00 (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.
  • Videogame night – 18 July

    Friday night = Gaming night with friends! Join us solo or with friends for a fun Videogame Night at Uilenstede!

    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, 18 July 2025 from 18:00 (you can come later if you want and you decide when you want to leave :-)
    • Location: De Landing, Uilenstede
    • 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.
  • DnD session – 23 July

    Adventure is out there! Join our DnD session for an afternoon filled with dragons and quests!

    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: Wednesday, 23 July 2025 from 14:00 (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.
  • Arts & ceramics – 24 July

    Do you want to create something and let your creativity run free now that you have summer break? Come to our Arts & ceramics session!

    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: Thursday, 24 July 2025 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.
  • Pride University #1: Glitter & Storm – 31 July

    A whirlwind of queer joy, resilience and freedom. It's okay to shine – even when it's stormy. Anything goes in this performance!

    Especially for Pride University Festival, the students of PACT+ Dance and Theatre created this performance about queer joy, resilience and the right to shine – even when the storm is raging. Get ready for a whirlwind of expression, love and freedom. Nothing is too crazy and everything is allowed here!

    This even is organized by ROC van Amsterdam-Flevoland en Mediacollege and will be in Dutch.

    Practical information

    πŸ—“ When: Thursday, 31 July

    πŸ•‘ Time: 14:15-15:00

    πŸ“ Where: Meeting room 1 in The Social Hub Amsterdam City, Wibautstraat 129, 1091 GL Amsterdam (directions)

    Please go here for free tickets!

  • Pride University #2: Queer Books & Stories – 31 July

    Discuss the importance of queer literature and learn about unique perspectives on how it has affected you and others in this panel talk.

    In this panel talk, students and academics from VU and UvA share their favorite books from the queer community. Together, they explore the importance of Queer Libraries and preserving our stories. Expect personal recommendations, bold insights, and a celebration of the books that truly matter.

    This event is organized by UvA and VU, and will be held in English.

    Practical information

    πŸ—“ When: Thursday, 31 July

    πŸ•‘ Time: 15:15-16:30

    πŸ“ Where: Meeting room 1 in The Social Hub Amsterdam City, Wibautstraat 129, 1091 GL Amsterdam (directions)

    Please go here for free tickets!

  • Pride University #3: Unmuted – 31 July

    How queer is the music industry? With talks about visibility, safety, backlash, and radically claiming your place in a heteronormative world.

    How queer is the music industry really? Michiel Vos (NU.nl) explores this question in a lecture about queer artists. Afterwards, artist and producer Babs Schutte will talk to Liza van den Brink (TivoliVredenburg/ICONIC) about safety on and off stage, and to LIONSTORM about radically claiming your space, backlash and how to deal with it. What does it mean to be truly heard and how do you claim your place?

    This event is organised by HvA and Inholland, and will be held in Dutch.

    Practical information

    πŸ—“ When: Thursday, 31 July

    πŸ•‘ Time: 16:45-18:00

    πŸ“ Where: Meeting room 1 in The Social Hub Amsterdam City, Wibautstraat 129, 1091 GL Amsterdam (directions)

    Please go here for free tickets!

  • Board game night – 31 July

    Do you want to meet new people and play a lot of different board games with snacks? Come to the Life is Better in 3D Board Game Night!

    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: Thursday, 31 July 2025 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.
  • VU Language Stories – 18 September

    What is your VU Language Story? You’re invited to the screening of the documentary VU Language Stories, followed by aftertalk.

    In the documentary VU Language Stories, six members of the VU community share the languages they speak, the stories behind these languages, and the role of language at VU and in their lives.

    Following the screening, we’ll engage in a conversation about what language diversity means for our VU community and the importance of language for an inclusive academic environment. 

    • What languages do you speak? What are your language stories?
    • How comfortable do you feel in Dutch or English, the main languages of communication at VU? How can we make sure that we understand one another in an equal and respectful way so that the VU language community remains accessible to everyone?
    • And how can we make the most of other languages spoken at VU?

    After the discussion, you are warmly invited to enjoy a drink and a good conversation in the language of your choice from 18.00-19.00!

    Register here before 31 July 2025 (click: Start now) and bring your own VU language story to the meeting.

    Watch the trailer of the documentary here.

    Contact: Mariana Videira Peixoto – m.videira.peixoto@student.vu.nl

    Practical information
    • Date & time: Thursday, 18 September 2025 16:30 - 18:00
    • Location: NU-4C07 (Theater 6)

Wellbeing

  • Meditation sessions – every Monday, Thursday & Friday

    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 three times a week.

    More and more people meditate, they do so because of mental health, and longing for rest, focus or balance. Some meditate because of the stress-reducing effects or because of their religious or ideological beliefs. Whatever your reason may be for meditating, it is often easier to do so in communities, where you can make friends and share experiences. So, join us for weekly meditation sessions.

    In 20 to 30-minutes sessions, guided meditations will be offered. These meditations will be on Monday, Thursday and Friday from 1:00 to 1:30 PM. You can find more (and up to date) information on this page.

    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. 

    You are very welcome to use the Silence Room (HG-1A53) for whatever ideological or religious silence practice when no activities take place. 

    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! 

  • VU in Motion – every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday

    The summer holidays are about to begin and that means the campus is getting a bit emptier. VU in Motion activities are also temporarily stopping.

    The summerbreak will start on Monday, 14 July 14 and ends on Monday, 18 August.

    Of course, you don't have to sit still during the summer. During a holiday, you often find yourself in beautiful nature with both short walks and long treks. But are you lounging on the beach and need to cool off in the water from time to time? Pull a few laps. Had dinner out? Take another walk before heading back to your accommodation. If you are on a campsite, you can have fun playing badminton, (table) tennis or petanque, for example... Relaxation through exertion. Happy holidays!

    Programme
    On Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:30, we will offer 15 minutes of Qi Gong, which will be held outside on the campus square again until October, close to the new Calisthenics park.

    Following on from Qi Gong, there will be free walk-in Calisthenics on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 13:15. This means that there will be an instructor present who can offer you some help and inspiration with the equipment at the Calisthenics park, no strings attached!

    On Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. it is time for Standing Yoga, which starts in the hall of the OZW.

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

    VU in Motion   
    VU in Motion aims to get employees and students to move a little more on and around the VU Campus. It has been scientifically proven that (more) movement leads to (more) physical and mental health. VU is also part of the sitting culture that has almost replaced natural movement worldwide. And we want to change that! Each week we will provide a tip or a fun fact to encourage you to meet one of the three movement guidelines. These guidelines for adults and seniors are as follows:   

    • Movement is good; more movement is better. Do at least 150 (preferably 210) minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise, spread over several days.   
    • Do 2-3x/week an intensive(er) workout of 30-60 min, focusing on strength and conditioning, for the elderly additionally combined with balance exercises.   
    • And avoid sitting still! In other words, half an hour of movement/sports a day cannot compensate for the damage of further prolonged sitting still. 2 minutes of moderate-intensity movement every 20 minutes has very positive effects.

    Qi Gong is an ancient Chinese movement form that not only strengthens your body, but balances your whole being (body, mind and spirit) by activating the vital life energy, or Qi. This life energy flows through your body via meridians (energy pathways that run through your body and connect all organs). By practising Qi Gong, these meridians can be activated and balanced, leading to greater vitality and inner peace. It improves flexibility and mobility, strengthens the immune system, increases energy, reduces stress, improves focus and concentration, and increases emotional balance and breathing. A short 15-minute Qi Gong session already gives great results, so perfect for an invigorating break activity!

Pathways to Wellbeing: Let's talk about... Friendship

Student life is a fun but challenging time. How do you find the right balance? Four VU students take you through and share their experiences on the topics of friendship, making choices, stress & happiness.

In this video, we talk about friendship. What does friendship really mean? What do you do when you want to make friends? And do you ever feel lonely? Check out the perspectives of the four VU students in this video!

More on student wellbeing

Does your activity belong on the wellbeing calendar as well?

Contact the Student wellbeing team!

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