Wellbeing Calendar

Social activities

• Close Reading: Pema Chödrön №2 – 25 November

  Each and every one of us goes through difficult times – it’s part of life. Tibetan Buddhist and nun Pema Chödrön dedicated one of her books to the topic of difficult times: When Things Fall Apart. Its chapters carry very accessible Buddhist advice – for anyone. What can we learn from Buddhism when it comes to dealing with hardship?

  In three sessions (November 18^th, November 25^th and December 2^nd) we read three different chapters from When Things Fall Apart. We do so on the spot, with coffee, tea and cookies; no preparation is needed. In this second session, we reflect on compassion and communication. Pema Chödrön details how inextricably connected compassion towards others and compassion towards ourselves are: 

   “If we find ourselves unworkable and give up on ourselves, then we’ll find others unworkable and give up on them. What we hate in ourselves, we’ll hate in others. To the degree that we have compassion for ourselves, we will also have compassion for others.”* 

  Join us Monday, November 25^th, from 4:00 till 5:30 PM, to discover more and join the conversation on compassion and communication. All you need to is sign up! We’re happy to have you.  

  You don’t need a copy of the book; we share hand-outs with the parts we read during that session. We read the parts together out loud, but there is also time for personal re-reading, and reflecting; followed by time for conversation and exchanging thoughts. We open at 4:00 PM with ten to fifteen minutes of grabbing our coffees and teas and settling in. If you have any questions, be sure to join our WhatsApp chat, or send an email to newconnective@vu.nl. 

  This event is part of NEWConnective’s Great Minds Reading Club. Curious about more of NEWConnective? Go to VU.nl/NEWConnective or follow us on Instagram @newconnective.  

  *Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall Apart. Heart Advice for Difficult Times, 20th-anniversary ed. (Shambhala, 2016): 81. 

  Practical information 

  • Date & time: Monday, 25 November 4:00 till 5:30 PM 
  • Location: Stage for Dialogue, 3D
  • Please sign up here! 

• Dutch lunch Young VU – 26 November

  Practice your Dutch with colleagues

  Praat je Nederlands? – Ja, een beetje…

  Are you tired of this answer and want to finally SPEAK Dutch? Have you invested countless hours (and Euros) into Dutch courses but never got to practice your new skills?

  Then join us for a casual lunch during which you, other international as well as Dutch colleagues get to know each other - and speak Dutch. To participate some basic knowledge is helpful but not required. This lunch is thus best suited for learners who have taken some classes in the past and would like to practice their skills in an informal setting. And if you are Dutch or speak Dutch fluently, you are also welcome to join! You meet colleagues from all over the world and help them find their way in the Netherlands.

  Feel free to share this invitation with your VU network. You need to bring your own lunch.

  Practical information

  • Date & time: Tuesday, 26 November 2024 12:00-13:00
  • Location: 3D room
  • Audience: International staff and students, Dutch speakers and Dutch learners
  • Language: Dutch
  • Free event.

• Right to demonstrate, what is the current status? – 26 November

  On Tuesday afternoon, November 26, professor of constitutional and administrative law Jon Schilder will discuss your right to demonstrate in 3D.

  The right to demonstrate is a human right and applies to everyone, regardless of the content of the protest. In the Netherlands, demonstrations are held in all kinds of ways, in different places and on very different topics.

  Our government must guarantee everyone's right to demonstrate, provided that they are peaceful demonstrations. Restricting or prohibiting the right to demonstrate is only permitted under strict conditions. The European Convention on Human Rights states that the government may restrict a demonstration, but only if this is necessary for national security, public safety, the prevention of serious disorder and criminal offenses, and for the protection of health or morals.

  Nevertheless, the right to demonstrate seems to be under pressure. Last week, the right to demonstrate was temporarily suspended in Amsterdam. And the rules for protests seem to be becoming stricter in some places and at some times.

  Time to talk about this with Jon Schilder.

  Practical information

  • Date & time: Tuesday, 26 November 2024 16:30-18:00
  • Location: Debate centre 3D
  • Audience: VU students and staff: VU students and staff
  • Sign up: please send an email to 3d@vu.nl (also for questions)
  • Free event.

• Screening of the film: 'How to Blow Up a Pipeline' – 27 November

  Based on ecologist Andreas Malm (Lund University)’s eponymous 2021 book analysing forms of climate action and climate fatalism, this fictionalised film by dir. Daniel Goldhaber explores moral and political questions about the complicities and resistances that are imaginable in face of the climate crisis.

  The screening of the film will be preceded by a short intro by PPE.
  
  Free snacks and drinks included! 

  See attached article for more background information on the topic of activism and civil disobedience:
  Lai, Ten-Herng, and Chong-Ming Lim. “Environmental Activism and the Fairness of Costs Argument for Uncivil Disobedience.” Journal of the American Philosophical Association, vol. 9, no. 3, Jan. 2023, pp. 490–509. https://doi.org/10.1017/apa.2022.15
  
  * Disclaimer: The film is a fictionalized narrative of an academic book and represents an interesting take on climate action that is worth watching and discussing. The screening is not, however, a call to action in itself.

  Practical information

  • Date & time: Wednesday, 27 November 2024 16:00 - 18:00
  • Location: Library Lounge, VU Main Building, 1st floor
  • Language: English
  • Organised by University Library & PPE-programme.
  • Please sign up here.

• Navigating Activism & Dialogue – 28 November

  How do we find our approach in enacting change, both as individuals and as communities or movements? And how do we relate to others who choose differently?

  When change is needed, both pleas for activism and for dialogue resound. The bond between these two can be complex: at times activism and dialogue seem to go hand in hand; at other times they are seeming opposites. In this gathering, we'll share insights in strategies for enacting change and support each other in our activist and dialogic practices.

  During this afternoon program people engaged with societal causes and movements on and off campus are invited to explore the back and forth relation of activism and dialogue. Individual students and staff are welcome; students and staff from organizations around VU are welcome; but we explicitly open up this space for individuals from outside VU too, to join us in exploring this topic. It is necessary to sign up for this event. We are aware that this is a lengthy program. Although, of course, we encourage full participation, we want to be mindful of your time and offer the possibility to participate in parts 2 and 3 of the program only. 

  We will use different techniques, with the larger group, subgroups and individually, to reflect on questions like:

  • Are both activism and dialogue part of enacting change and what is their relation?
  • How do we value our relation to other people and organizations in our engagement?
  • What experiences of loneliness or alienation do we bring with us?
  • To whom can our own practices of activism and dialogue be exclusionary?

  For those unfamiliar with our organization, NEWConnective is the VU's platform for Life's Big Questions. One of these questions is, in our view, how to engage with the world. In the past, we've worked together on this topic with Stage for Dialogue, 3D and student union SRVU; as well as XR Amsterdam and Let Us Speak. For reference, we offer you our earlier podcast episode with Jedidja Kloens and Samuel Lee on compassion fatigue and activism burnout.

  Programme

  • 3:00 PM. Walk-In
  • 3:10 PM. Part 1: Taking Stock through Exercise and Discussion
  • 4:10 PM. Part 2: Zooming in through a Sharing Circle and Journaling
  • 4:55 PM. Part 3: Making Plans in Subgroup Discussions
  • 5:30 PM. Closing off

  Practical information

  • Date & time: Thursday, 28 November 2024 15:00 - 17:30
  • Location: Debate centre 3D
  • Language: Dutch / English
  • Organised by NEWConnective
  • Please sign up here.

• Towards a fossil-free university? – 28 November

  Should universities stop research funded by the fossil industry? Spurred on by climate activists, more and more academic institutions are considering that question. What does ‘breaking ties with the fossil industry’ mean in practice for universities?

  In April 2023, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam became the first university in the Netherlands to announce that it will no longer enter into new research collaborations with fossil energy companies that do not commit to the Paris Climate Agreement. Other universities announced similar steps after this. But how do you do that, break ties with fossil companies? What are the consequences? And is this the most efficient way to accelerate the energy transition?

  This programme is organised in collaboration with The Free University of Amsterdam. Last year, following their decision, we organised several closed sessions in which we engaged with universities, civil society organisations and the fossil industry itself.

  The event is €9.50 for students, including consumption.

  Praktische informatie

  • Date & time: Thursday, 28 November at 19:30
  • Location: De Balie, Kleine-Gartmanplantsoen 10, 1017 RR Amsterdam (directions)
  • Language: Dutch
  • Please buy tickets here.

• Close Reading: Pema Chödrön №3 – 2 December 

  Each and every one of us goes through difficult times – it’s part of life. Tibetan Buddhist and nun Pema Chödrön dedicated one of her books to the topic of difficult times: When Things Fall Apart. Its chapters carry very accessible Buddhist advice – for anyone. What can we learn from Buddhism when it comes to dealing with hardship?

  In three sessions (November 18^th, November 25^th and December 2^nd) we read three different chapters from When Things Fall Apart. We do so on the spot, with coffee, tea and cookies; no preparation is needed. In this third and last session, we learn about three ways of working with chaos: (1) no more struggle; (2) using poison as medicine; and (3) seeing what arises as wisdom. For example, Pema Chödrön writes: 

   “The elemental struggle Is with our feeling of being wrong, with our guilt and shame at what we are. That’s what we have to befriend. The point is that we can dissolve the sense of dualism between us and them, between this and that, between here and there, by moving toward what we find difficult and wish to push away.”* 

  Join us Monday, December 2^nd from 4:00 to 5:30 PM, to discover more and join the conversation on working with chaos. All you need to do is sign up! We’re happy to have you.  

  You don’t need a copy of the book; we share hand-outs with the parts we read during that session. We read the parts together out loud, but there will be time for personal re-reading, and reflecting; followed by time for conversation and exchanging thoughts. We open at 4:00 PM with ten to fifteen minutes of grabbing our coffees and teas and settling in. If you have any questions, be sure to join our WhatsApp chat, or send an email to newconnective@vu.nl. 

  This event is part of NEWConnective’s Great Minds Reading Club. Curious about more of NEWConnective? Go to VU.nl/NEWConnective or follow us on Instagram @newconnective. 

   *Pema Chödrön, When Things Fall Apart. Heart Advice for Difficult Times, 20th-anniversary ed. (Shambhala, 2016): 124. 

  Practical information 

  • Date & time: Monday, 2 December 4:00 till 5:30 PM 
  • Location: Stage for Dialogue, 3D
  • Please sign up here! 

• Books & Bites Book Club: 1984 – 4 December 

  Welcome to Book & Bites, the book club organized by the University Library and the University Student Council where we come together for nice conversations about books while we enjoy some pizza.

  This fall we will be reading 1984 by George Orwell. The book has been chosen by members of the Student University Council. Do you want to join the club? After you sign up, you can pick up your free copy at the Library Service Desk (1st Floor) from the 17th of October onwards. We also have a Whatsapp group where we keep in touch about the sessions. Send us your phone number if you want to join us on Whatsapp as well. 

  Practical information

  • Date & time: Wednesday, 4 December (5 PM-6:30 PM)
  • Location: Library Lounge, VU Main Building, 1st floor
  • Language: English.
  • Please sign up here.

• New Beginnings: Seeking Refuge and Resilience Together – 4 December

  Are you in for an evening of inspiration, some good (free) food and some social time? Join us on the 4th of December!

  How to find refuge outside of your own country and context? What possible opportunities are there in this new place?

  This evening we will look for refuge together. We will have three speakers that will provide us with their personal experiences and with inspiration. Dr. Samuel Lee (director Foundation Academy of Amsterdam and lecturer of Migration Theology), Alaa Khalifeh (Deloitte Future Academy) and Hsen Khalil (VU Pride) will tell us about their experiences of being a refugee in the Netherlands and finding their way around in different environments.

  Afterwards, we will share food together and hang out. We will have games available, but it also possible to just chill and talk to each other. Around 9 PM the evening will end. You can find the full program below:

  • 5:00 PM: walk-in
  • 5:30 PM: start
  • 7:00 PM: dinner
  • 9:00 PM: end of the evening

  Sign-up is required (you can find the link below) so we know how much food to have.  The evening is also open for the buddies from the Deloitte Future Academy.

  Practical information

  • Date & time: 4 December, 5:00 PM walk-in, 5:30 PM start
  • Location: 3D, VU Stage for Dialogue (you can find 3D on the VU campus square (De Boelelaan 1105), to the right of the Spar supermarket)
  • Please sign up here. 

• WO&MEN@VU Orange the world event 'Hope and Openness' – 5 December

  The theme of Orange the World 2024 is "Safe, Anywhere, Anytime."

  Violence against women and girls takes place in all sorts of places; on the streets, when going out, at work, in public feeds, in education, in healthcare, in student unions, at festivals and in all other places where men and women, boys and girls meet. From sexual harassment to femicide. 

  On December 5, WO&MEN@VU is organizing a meeting in collaboration with DURF to talk about "Hope and Openness." Marjan Olfers (professor of sports and law and confidential whistleblower VU) kicks off and tells us about her research on transgressive behavior in different sectors. Margrethe Jonkman (chair of the Executive Board) joins her to discuss the implications of the research and the possibilities for more openness on the subject. Discussion leader is Jacquelien van Stekelenburg, professor of Social Change and Conflict.

  What in particular can we improve at the university? What does it take to ensure that women feel safe, anywhere, anytime? Come and join the conversation!

  Practical information

  • Date & time: Thursday, 5 December 12:45-1:30 p.m.
  • Location: 3D Debate Center
  • Language: Dutch
  • Participation is free, please send an email to relaties@vu.nl with reference to Orange the world.

• VU Festival of Lights – 10 December

  December is nearly here and that means it's time for the VU Festival of Lights!

  Just like in previous years, NEWConnective and 3D are organizing the Festival of Lights outside the VU dialogue center 3D. A special moment with music from the Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra, poetry and lights, where we look back on the past year and look ahead to the new.

  The VU Festival of Lights is inspired by various ancient wisdom traditions and religious holidays and is fueled by the personal stories from our own VU community. All students and employees are cordially invited to participate in the Festival of Lights. So put the Festival of Lights in your agenda right now and make sure to join us!

  We will serve something warm drink in front of dialogue center 3D, while enjoying live music. From 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM we will hold the candle ceremony, in which students and employees share something that brings them light in dark times.

  More details about the program will follow soon.

  Programme

  • Date: Tuesday, 10 December
  • Live music and a hot drink from 5:00 PM
  • Festival of Lights starts 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
  • Location: In front of the balcony 3D, the dialogue center of the VU, next to the beach volleyball fields
  • Participation is free.
  • Registration is not required.

• Meeting students and staff with a disability or chronic condition – 12 December

  Students and staff with a disability and/or chronic condition often face different and usually more challenges than other students. To discuss these and other matters and to help each other along the way, there is a monthly meeting and exchange meeting in The Global Room.

  During these meetings, students and employees with disabilities or chronic conditions can discuss with each other. There is plenty of room to ask questions and share tips and experiences.

  The meeting is approachable, accessible and informal.

  What to expect?

  • In this accessible get-together you meet up with other people having disabilities or chronic illnesses at the VU in a safe and confidential environment. 
  • You are not alone. Other people with comparable experiences better understand how your personal situation influences you job or study.
  • The meeting will be guided by a VU student with a disability / chronic illness and the coordinator of VU debate center 3D. 
  • During this informal meeting experiences are exchanged and support is offered. 
  • There is plenty of room to share experiences, ask questions and share suggestions.
  • It’s a great place to meet new people.

  Practical information 

  • Audience: employees and students with a disability, chronic illness or other affinity in broad sense
  • Date & time: monthly, 20 November & 12 December, 3:30-5:30 pm
  • Location: Main building, first floor, Global Room space HG-1A36
  • Number of participants: maximum 20
  • Interested? And want to find out about the next meeting? 
  • Please send a message to 3D@vu.nl.

  Accessibility 

  • Door passage accessible for larger wheelchairs.
  • Sensory stimuli are limited.
  • Elevator and stairs nearby. 
  • Quiet area available.
  • Short break in between.
  • Joining for shorter time is possible. 

  Tip: You can join later or participate for a shorter time!

  Do you have any questions? Email to 3D@vu.nl. 

Wellbeing

• Mindful Meetup: Psychedelic Contemplation – 27 November

  Delve into ayahuasca's role in modern spirituality, exploring new paths to self-transcendence and divine connection.

  In this last Mindful Meet-Up of the year Zen professor and comparative philosopher André van der Braak will lead a lecture and guided meditation inspired by his recent book, Ayahuasca as Liquid Divinity. Van der Braak examines how ayahuasca, a psychoactive brew derived from Amazonian plants, can facilitate connections with forces beyond the self when used in a ritual context. He draws on the work of philosopher Bruno Latour to argue that such practices cultivate meaningful relationships with more than human powers.

  In an age where religion has largely shifted from institutional to personal practice, new forms of spirituality are emerging. Increasingly, ayahuasca is being used as a tool for self-transcendence, offering experiences of non-rational, intuitive consciousness that foster a deeper sense of connection with oneself and the surrounding world.

  According to Van der Braak, modern society has a deep-seated longing for a form of consciousness that transcends the purely rational. Psychedelics like ayahuasca, when integrated into a serious contemplative practice, can serve not only recreational and medical purposes but also play a spiritual and religious role.

  This event provides an opportunity to engage with these ideas and practices through discussion and meditation, to explore new dimensions of consciousness and connection.

  Programme

  • 3:45 – Walk-in 
  • 4:00 – Meditation
  • 4:15 – Lecture by André van der Braak
  • 4:45 – Discussion/questions
  • 5:15 – Meditation
  • 5:30 – The End  

  Practical information

  • Date & time: 27 November 2024 3:45-5:30 pm
  • Location: HG 11A33
  • Please sign up here 

• Meditation sessions – every Monday & Wednesday

  Need a break? join us for meditation in the silence room (HG-1A53).

  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 joins us for weekly meditations, in a silent meditation group, a traditional Buddhist and/or a Christian meditation.

  Meditation Group, every Monday 12:55-1:15 PM in the Silence Room (HG-1A53). Join us in silence to meditate in whatever way you prefer. We share our experiences afterwards.

  Buddhist Meditation, every Wednesday 12:45–1:15 PM in the Silence Room (HG-1A53). Join a guided Buddhist meditation, and share a silent practice with each other.

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

• VU in Motion – every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday

  VU in Motion is going indoors again!

  As of Tuesday, 5 November, Tai Chi, Salsa and Standing yoga will take place indoors again instead of on campus square.

  Join us on the ground floor in the OZW building in front of the Sportscentre VU.

  A reminder of the schedule: 

  • Tai Chi on Tuesday & Thursday at 12:30.  
  • Salsa on on Tuesday & Thursday at 13:00. 
  • Standing Yoga on Wednesday at 12:15.

  All exercise breaks are 15 minutes. Everyone is welcome for a short, tasty exercise break in your work or study day!  

  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.

Workshops & training sessions

• Three ways to improve your study Module 3: Take action – 22 November

  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, we will focus 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. 

  Please go this page to find more information and to register.

  This module will also take place on:

  • Thursday, 6 February 2025 from 11:00 to 12:00
  • Friday, 21 March 2025 from 11:00 to 12:00
  • Monday, 2 June 2025 from 11:00 to 12:00.

  Other modules in this series:

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

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

• Efficient study techniques – 27 November & 4 December

  Studying faster, efficient and with more fun? 

  Discover a more efficient way of studying. Practice with reading, learning and memory strategies and become a faster and more efficient student. Using this training, offering the latest insights in the functioning of the brain, you will be able to adequately influence your learning process.

  Do you want to learn quicker and more efficiently?

  Please go this page to find more information and to register.

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

• Three ways to improve your study Module 1: The negative spiral – 16 January 2025

  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, we will focus 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. 

  Please go this page to find more information and to register.

  This module will also take place on:

  • Friday, 7 March 2025 from 11:00 to 12:00
  • Monday, 12 May 2025 from 11:00 to 12:00.

  Other modules in this series:

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

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

• Work on your fear of failure – 17 January, 7 & 21 Feburary, 7 & 21 March 2025

  In this 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.

  Please go this page to find more information and to register.

  This training course will also take place on the following series of days:

  • Monday, 3, 17 & 31 March, 14 April, 12 May from 13:00 to 15:00
  • Wednesday, 7 & 21 May, 4 & 18 June, 2 July from 13:00 to 15:00.

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

• Three ways to improve your study Module 2: Balance and relaxation – 23 January 2025

  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, we will focus 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. 

  Please go this page to find more information and to register.

  This module will also take place on:

  • Friday, 14 March 2025 from 11:00 to 12:00
  • Monday, 19 May 2025 from 11:00 to 12:00.

  Other modules in the series:

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

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

• Improve your concentration – 3 & 10 February 2025

  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.

  Please go this page to find more information and to register.

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

• How to feel more confident during presentations – 3, 10 & 17 March 2025

  How to give a presentation with more self-confidence and persuasiveness? 

  For all students who are looking forward to presenting and would like to give a presentation with more self-confidence and persuasiveness, participate in a presentation round or other forms of public speaking.

  Do you feel uncomfortable during a presentation or even more than that? Would you like to experience more self-confidence and daring when you get the floor? In this training you will experiment in a safe environment and play with speaking in front of a group. Motto: making mistakes is allowed! Goal: let your self-confidence and presentation skills grow. After the training: You know more about the development of feelings of anxiety during presentation. You have more knowledge about helping and inhibiting thoughts and what you can do with them. You have various tools to feel more relaxed while speaking in front of a group. You know how to give a convincing presentation and have you practiced this.

  Please go this page to find more information and to register.

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

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