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
Self-Care for Staying Safe, Healthy and Productive
It is two months into the spring semester, and by now, you possibly have a better understanding of how demanding the rest of your semester will be. Some of you might be feeling overwhelmed by all you have to do this semester, from classes and assignments to work (for those… 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
Thoughtful Thursdays Offer Counsel to Students Staying Home
Social distancing has significantly altered the way we work, live and communicate. Navigating all the lifestyle changes we have to make now may seem difficult or overwhelming. That’s why the ISSS virtual community is organizing Thoughtful Thursdays, a series of events open to international students and scholars, periodically hosted in… read more
Three Simple Ways to Reduce Stress
April is Stress Awareness Month! While a certain degree of stress is actually normal, too much stress can leave you more vulnerable to illness and less open to the pleasure of life. Here are a few simple things you can do right now to keep stress in check: Enjoy Music… 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
Mental Health Month: Test Anxiety
As you make the final push to the end of the semester, you may be feeling anxious about that last big exam. And that’s ok! A certain degree of test anxiety is actually normal. However, too much anxiety can inhibit your performance. Luckily, there’s a lot you can do to… read more
