September Health & Wellness Newsletter

Your newsletter from Student Health and Wellness (SHAW)

Top Tips for Staying Healthy in College

Staying healthy on a college campus can be challenging with the stress, packed schedules, late nights, and temptations around every corner. Here are top tips to keep your physical and mental health on track:

🥗 1. Eat Nutritiously

Don’t skip meals, especially breakfast—it helps with focus and energy.
Keep healthy snacks (like nuts, fruit, or yogurt) in your room or backpack.
Use the dining hall salad bar or veggie options when possible.
Limit late-night fast food and energy drinks.

🛏️ 2. Prioritize Sleep

Aim for 7–9 hours per night.
Avoid all-nighters—sleep is more effective for memory consolidation than last-minute cramming.
Stick to a consistent sleep schedule when you can.
If you’re short on sleep, try 20–30 minute power naps, not hour-long ones.

🏃‍ 3. Stay Active

Walk or bike to class instead of taking the bus.
Take advantage of the student recreation and wellness center (free for students).
Join intramural or club sports—it’s fun and
Try short workouts like 15-minute yoga/stretching sessions between study blocks.

💧 4. Hydrate

Keep a reusable water bottle with you.
Drink water consistently, especially if you’re drinking coffee or alcohol.
Aim for at least 6–8 glasses a day

😷 5. Practice Good Hygiene

Wash hands often, especially during flu/cold season.
Sanitize shared surfaces in dorms or classrooms.
Don’t share drinks or food with others.

🧠 6. Take Care of Your Mental Health

Don’t isolate—connect with friends or join campus communities.
Use counseling or mental health services—offered free or low-cost on campus!
Practice mindfulness, journaling, or even just deep breathing if you’re stressed.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help if things feel overwhelming.

🍻 7. Be Smart with Alcohol & Substances

Know your limits and understand the effects.
Stay hydrated and don’t mix substances.
Keep an eye on your drink at parties.
Have a buddy system when going out.

💊 8. Keep Up With Medical Needs

Stay current on vaccinations (like flu and COVID).
Make use of the student health center for medical appointments or concerns.
Know where to find emergency services

📚 9. Balance is Key

Schedule downtime—don’t overbook yourself.
Use planners or apps to manage time and reduce stress.
Remember: your mental and physical health come before grades.

Thriving at UW Oshkosh: Campus & Commuter Student Success Tips

Whether living on campus or commuting, students at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh have countless opportunities to grow, connect, and succeed. With the right strategies, every student can thrive academically, socially, and personally.

Life on Campus: Building Community and Balance

Living on campus offers a vibrant environment for personal development and connection. Here are key tips for making the most of the experience:

Connect Early: Start strong by getting to know your roommate and neighbors. Open communication lays the foundation for lasting relationships.
Use Campus Resources: From the Counseling Center to tutoring and student organizations, UW Oshkosh is here to support your journey.
Stay Organized: A tidy, personalized space and a consistent routine can help reduce stress and improve focus.
Get Involved: Attend campus events, join clubs, and explore leadership opportunities to enrich your college experience.
Prioritize Wellness: Eat nutritious meals, get enough sleep, and take breaks. Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it.

Campus life is more than academics—it’s about building a community and caring for your well-being.

Commuter Success: Staying Engaged and Empowered

Commuter students are an essential part of the UW Oshkosh community. With a few smart strategies, they can stay connected and make the most of campus life:

Stay Connected: Join student organizations, follow campus social media, explore Greek Life, the Center for Academic Resources, and Career and Professional Development.
Maximize Time: Group classes to reduce travel, use breaks to visit Self-Care Spaces at the Counseling Center or attend events, and pack essentials like snacks and chargers.
Prioritize Wellness: Participate in mental health workshops, yoga sessions, and check out the Student Rec and Wellness Center to stay balanced.
Build Relationships: Connect with professors, find a commuter buddy, and join peer study groups to foster meaningful connections.
Parking Tips: Know your parking zones and arrive early to avoid stress.

At UW Oshkosh, campus life is for everyone—commuters included!

Check Out the New Peer Health Educator Program!

Looking to boost your well-being this semester? Stop by the new Peer Health Educator (PHE) Office in Reeve 102B! PHEs (pronounced “fees”) are trained student leaders here to support your health journey with confidential conversations, free and low-cost health supplies, and regular events on topics like stress, sleep, sexual health, alcohol, bystander intervention, and more.

You’ll also spot the Wellness Wagon around campus—bringing quick tips, resources, and free health goodies right to you. Plus, student orgs, CAs, and faculty can request PHEs for presentations tailored to your group’s needs.

Your wellness matters—connect with the PHEs and take a step toward a healthier you!

Stop by the PHE office during open hours, visit our webpage, or email us:

https://www.uwosh.edu/wellness/phes/

wellness@uwosh.edu

Student Recreation and Wellness Center

Student Recreation on campus offers several opportunities for you to stay active and find balance as you work through the semester. Certainly, the facility is here for you filled with cardio and strength equipment, but there are a lot of services and programs for students to engage with as well. Here is a highlight of all you can connect with:

Student Recreation and Wellness Center Hours:
- Monday-Friday, 6am – 11pm
- Saturday/Sunday, 9am – 10pm
- Remember to bring your ID and a 2nd pair of shoes!
Group Exercise Classes – always Free! Check out our class schedule here
Outdoor Adventure Trips: climbing, hiking, camping… register here
Intramural Sports: see our fall line-up of leagues and register here
We also host several drop-in services:
- Climbing Wall
- Golf Simulator
- Personal Training assessments
- Outdoor rental equipment

No matter how you recreate, we have options for you! Swing through or email us at studentrecreation@uwosh.edu to connect and learn more.

September Wellness Challenge

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year, Titans!

This year, our Student Health and Wellness staff are taking on a series of wellness challenges to promote healthy habits. For September, we’ve kicked things off with Wellness Bingo—focusing on simple but powerful habits like walking, staying hydrated, and practicing mindfulness.

Now it’s your turn! We’re inviting all students to join the fun through a Campus Geocache Challenge. Starting September 8th, we’ll be posting clues on Instagram/Facebook Reels to guide you to hidden geocache spots around campus. Find a cache, grab the slip of paper inside, and bring it to the UWO Student Health Center (1^st floor Radford Hall) to claim your prize!

Featured Events of the Month:

Red Zone (September 1^st – October 10^th)

The U.S. Department of Justice has identified the first six weeks as a period of high risk for sexual assault perpetration on college campuses. At UW Oshkosh, Red Zone programming reclaims this time by focusing on prevention.

Weekly focus of events includes:

Week 1: Community Building & Getting Involved
Week 2: Building a Healthy Relationship with Yourself
Week 3: Building Healthy Relationships with Others
Week 4: Titans Intervene-Bystander Intervention and Hazing Prevention
Week 5: Healthy Sexuality
Week 6: Healthy Sexuality

Full list of events

Giveaway! Attend and scan into Red Zone events on the Involve app to be entered for weekly giveaways!

Every Red Zone event you participate in gets you an entry to win.

Fresh Check Day – Wednesday, September 10

Fresh Check Day- Mental Health Fair: 11:00a.m.-1:00 p.m., [Student Health Center Lawn] Back by popular demand! De-stress from the back-to-school chaos and learn how to support your mental health with Fresh Check Day!

Interactive Exhibits: Engage with mental health topics in an engaging and fun environment.
Community Engagement: Opportunities to connect with peers, campus services, and community resources.
Prizes and Giveaways: Exciting prizes and giveaways will be available; visit each booth for a chance to win amazing prizes. Plus, the first 50 attendees get free UWO goodie bags!
Delicious Food: Enjoy food and treats to keep you energized.