It is your first few weeks here at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). There are so many exciting opportunities that await and new experiences to come. Yet, you still feel the stress of classes and the anxiety of leaving home for the first time. But you should not worry as you are not alone and at BGSU there are many resources that are here to help.
Bowling Green State University’s Counseling Center
Located at 101 East Hall, the Counseling Center provides counseling to all students. Counseling can be beneficial for a student’s mental health as they can receive extra support in times of hardship and at BGSU, counseling is free for students. The Counseling Center offers both individual sessions and group sessions. Group sessions can be found on the university’s counseling website. But, if interested in an individual counseling appointment, you can schedule one by calling 419-372-2081. The Counseling Center is open between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. If a student needs immediate help, you can contact the Wood County Crisis Line, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 419-502-4673.
BGSU PAWS Therapy Dog Team
Positive impacts of animal therapy include reduced stress, decreased pain, increased exercise and increased feelings of safety. With the help of community volunteers and certified therapy dogs, the group hosts events throughout campus, but can also be requested for a private session. On Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center, the therapy dogs will be there for Pump Up with PAWS. On Wednesdays from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Market at Jerome in the Jerome Library, the therapy dogs will be there to make study sessions a little less stressful. On Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m., the PAWS team will be in the Kreischer Sundial. On Sept. 30, the PAWS team will be at the Health Fair and Farmers Market in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union Lenhart Grand Ballroom from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Weeks of Welcome Events
Weeks of Welcome events take place all over campus and are designed to produce student engagement and encourage students to leave their dorms and get out. These activities range from Aug. 20 to Oct. 3. A couple of upcoming events are the All Campus Picnic and the Welcome Back Party. The All Campus Picnic will be taking place on Sept. 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Located in the Bowen-Thompson Quadrangle, students can enjoy free food and activities with fellow students and meet some of BGSU’s spirit groups. The Welcome Back Party is happening on Sept. 12 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Located in the Bowen-Thompson Quadrangle, students can listen to the BGSU Falcon Marching Band, capture memories at the photo booth and enjoy a variety of local food trucks.
BGSU Student Recreation Center
The Student Rec Center provides different types of exercise equipment including treadmills, weights, as well as a large swimming pool, a smaller swimming pool and a hot tub. The Rec Center also hosts different types of events for students throughout the year. This can be beneficial to students because it not only helps them with their physical health, but it can also be beneficial to student’s mental health. A couple of weekly events that go through the fall semester are a martial arts class and aqua zumba. The free martial arts classes take place on Tuesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Hosted in the Martial Arts Studio located in the sub-basement of the Student Rec Center, learn taijutsu, a Japanese martial art focused on self-defense. The free aqua zumba classes will be happening on Tuesdays from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Hosted in the Cooper Pool at the Student Rec Center, these fun, low-impact movement sessions can not only give you physical health benefits from the exercise, but it can also help reduce stress and boost your mood.
