Winter Break Special Edition

Announcement

  • From the team at This Week @ York, we would like to wish you a safe and restful Winter Break. We hope you are able to unplug and relax as this has been a challenging year for everyone.

    This special edition is focused on keeping you connected to the York community over the holiday break and supporting your mental health and well-being. We have also included some events that are taking place before and during the Winter Break. All posted event times are in Eastern Standard Time.

    We wish you all a safe and healthy winter break. We will keep you informed in 2021!

International Connections

  • York International has prepared a Holiday Information webpage to support you during the Winter Break, no matter where you are in the world. Read about virtual events, essential information and updates, and some holiday blog posts that will help keep you occupied over the break.

  • Winter Holiday Gala. Join other students, dress up and celebrate the start of your winter break and the holiday season at York International’s Winter Holiday Gala! There will be music, festive activities and fun games. Take this time to dress up and to connect to your fellow international students. This will be another great opportunity for you to meet new people and create meaningful memories together! Wednesday, December 23, noon to 2 p.m. Registration required.

  • Holiday Art Therapy. Express what the holidays mean to you through your very own art creations and connect with the York International global community over the break. No artistic talent is needed! Sunday, December 27, noon to 1 p.m. Registration required.

  • Celebrate the New Year! Celebrate the start of 2021 with the York international Global Community, talk about what you are looking forward to in 2021 and share some of your resolutions. Sunday, January 3, noon to 1 p.m. Registration required.

  • There are still several events leading up to the University’s winter-break closure on the York International Events Calendar features several events leading up to the University’s winter-break closure, including the full Virtual Coffee Break weekly schedule. When you sign up for an event, a confirmation email with the zoom link will be sent to you upon registration.

Campus Facilities

  • Students living in Undergraduate Residences, York Apartments or the QUAD: Remember to complete the mandatory screening form every day. This daily exercise allows York University to get in touch with and support students living on campus who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Residents should continue to observe restrictions on gatherings. Students approved to stay in our undergraduate residences over the holidays can visit their building Facebook group to learn about a variety of virtual activities hosted by Residence Life.

Academics

  • REMINDER: If you’re looking to complete some registrarial tasks while the University is closed, check for available self-serve tools and resources on My Online Services. Get what you need, from wherever you are, at almost any time of the day.

Student Support Services

  • These York units have online and remote services available to you throughout the year:

    • Student Community & Leadership Development, recognizing that mental health is connected to physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing as well as your academic and financial wellbeing, has curated a suite of COVID-19 resources to help you with physical distancing and online learning from home.
    • The web page includes a variety of fitness & nutrition resources to help you keep your body in good health. Also take a look at some of their resources for creating a study space in your room, meditation and relaxation.
    • Student Counselling, Health & Well-Being have also provided a suite of COVID-19 mental health resources to help you prioritize your mental health and well-being, and access additional community supports.
    • GradConnect Wellness Services support York’s graduate students. You can request a confidential Wellness Consultation by phone, email or online to discuss coping with stress and anxiety.
    • The Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support & Education (The Centre) coordinates support and resources for all members of the community that have experienced sexual violence and assists survivors through the complaint process. They can be reached by phone and email.
    • The Office of Student Community Relations (OSCR) is also available by phone and email to provide support to students impacted by critical incidents or personal crises, and to help with referrals.  Contact the Office of Student Community Relations (OSCR) at oscr@yorku.ca or 416-736-5231 if you have questions or concerns about staying safe on or off campus. OSCR is available from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Health & Wellness

  • Your YU Blog is also thinking about your mental health and wellness. Check out these blog posts: DIY Self-Care Kit; Stay Healthy This Exam Season and Five Tips for Staying Motivated & Productive.

  • If you’re looking for some mobile apps to help you relax, meditate or play, check Osgoode Hall Law School’s Wellness Support during COVID-19 web page.

  • As a York student you also have access to these community services:

    • keep.meSAFE is a mental wellness student support program that lets you call or chat with a counsellor any time of the day or night from anywhere in the world. Access real-time help and self-help resources, articles, videos and other assessment tools.
    • The Big White Wall is a free online mental health and wellbeing service offering self-guided programs and creative outlets to anonymously express yourself, connect and learn.
    • BounceBack Ontario is a free program that offers telephone coaching sessions and online videos to help you build skills to overcome mild-to-moderate anxiety or depression and regain positive mental health.

Careers Support

Connect with Community

  • The President's Creative Writing Awards. Get writing! The Creative Writing Department, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies and The Office of the President are looking for original pieces in the following genres: poetry, short fiction, screenplay and stage-play. Open to all undergraduate students, you can submit work to more than one category, but may only submit one work per genre. Best entry for each genre gets $400! Submission deadline: Monday, January 18, 2021.