Self-compassion and kindness toward oneself are concepts that are gaining popularity, especially in the United States. However, for many international students, this may be a new concept — or one that doesn’t necessarily align with cultural values. What is self-compassion? Compassion is a concept that describes the mind’s ability… read more
Addressing Perfectionism
You may have heard people say something like, “Perfect is the enemy of good.” But what does that mean? It’s a common response to the way that many people focus on perfection in every area, keeping themselves from improving or finishing a project. Although it’s good to strive for quality,… read more
How to Be a Successful College Student
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is pleased to feature this guest post from Dr. Arna Erega of UT Austin’s Counseling and Mental Health Center. Hello, international students! I hope your summer is going well so far. In this blog post, I’ll share a few tips about how to be… read more
Managing Exam and End-of-Semester Stress
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is pleased to feature this guest post from Dr. Arna Erega of UT Austin’s Counseling and Mental Health Center. Hello, hardworking international students! I just want to let you know that I see you! I see your hard work, sleepless nights, group efforts, and… read more
Is There Mental Health Support For International Students? Yes!
You may be wondering what to do when you are feeling down or sad — especially after these feelings continue for longer periods of time. Maybe you are experiencing some anxiety in regard to making new friends, being comfortable within large groups of people, or getting ready for a test.… read more
End of Semester Countdown: Top 5 Survival Tips
Are you stressed thinking of what you have to get done before the semester ends? As students know best, finals can be mentally and physically hard on the body. Provided below is a 5-tip countdown to help you reduce stress and dominate these last weeks! Tip # 5: Fuel Up… read more
Mental Health Promotion Week: Be Kind to Your Mind
Mental Health Promotion Week 2016 is a campus-wide event focused on promoting elements of positive emotional well-being. Programs throughout the week emphasize the benefits of exploring social connections, mindfulness, self-care, gratitude, resilience, creativity and play. Wednesday’s event will even feature a particular focus on culture and mental health: Diversity &… read more
Lunch Seminar for International Students
International Student & Scholar Services and Counseling & Mental Health Center invite to attend our next seminar: Managing Stress and Staying Healthy Come join other international students for an informative lunch hour seminar to learn about ways to identify stress when it occurs, techniques to reduce stress, and strategies to… read more
Tips To Tackle Homesickness
It’s okay to express yourself, so give writing a shot! If you’re currently feeling homesick, remember that you’re not alone. Feelings of homesickness are a completely normal part of adjusting to a new environment. In a recent ISSS blog post, international student Nabiol Afrooz shared his feelings about his homesickness.… read more
Mental Health Month: Tips for Coping With Stress
With Finals Week in full swing, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but being stressed-out takes its toll on your mind and body. Check out these great tips on Coping with Stress from Mental Health America. Here are few simple things you can start doing right now to reduce stress:… read more
