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Wellness at
Weldon
An interactive guide to keeping your mind and body healthy during law
school
Table of Contents Law School Stressors.................................................................................................... 1 Academic.............................................................................................................................1-2 Academic Advising................................................................................................................................2 Student Advocacy..................................................................................................................................2 Disabilities...................................................................................................................................................2 Emotional Health.............................................................................................................. 3
Dal Counseling........................................................................................................................................... 3 Physical Health..............................................................................................................4-6 Dalplex.......................................................................................................................................................... 4 Clinic................................................................................................................................................................ 4 Nutrition...................................................................................................................................................... 5 Balance......................................................................................................................................................... 6 Career Development ...........................................................................................................7 Law Students Society…….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...7 Spiritual Health...............................................................................................................8-9 Multifaith Centre................................................................................................................................8 Meditation...................................................................................................................................................9 Social...............................................................................................................................................................9 Sexual Health......................................................................................................................10 Allies............................................................................................................................................................ 10 Halifax Sexual Health Centre..................................................................................................... 10 Women’s Resources & Family Health....................................................................11 Women’s Centre.....................................................................................................................................11 Child Care....................................................................................................................................................11 Resources for Aboriginal and African Canadian Students......................12 Financial Support............................................................................................................ 13 Money Matters..................................................................................................................................... 13 Money Saving Tips............................................................................................................................. 13 What to do if you feel like dropping out................................................................ 14 Contacts................................................................................................................................. 15 Societies at Weldon......................................................................................................... 16
Wellness is about keeping your lifestyle balanced and healthy; it’s about taking care of your mind as well as your body. You will adapt to the fast-paced learning environment, but many do find it stressful at times. If you experience high stress levels, anxiety or depression, take advantage of the many wellness resources Dalhousie offers.
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Hyper-anxiety over grades is usually misplaced and can become counter-productive. Your pre-law academic performance enabled you to be admitted, so your chances of successful completion of your degree are extremely good. Although many law students do experience some grade deflation compared to their undergraduate studies, students also often see an overall improvement in law school from year to year.
If you are anxious about the academic demands of law school, make an appointment to see the Associate Dean Professor Michael Deturbide ([email protected]) or Assistant Dean, Academic, Professor Elizabeth Hughes ([email protected]). They offer:
- academic counseling, - an overview of other support available, - information regarding the accommodation process.
Assistant Dean Hughes also: - co-ordinates the Academic Success Program, which offers group
and individual skill-building sessions, led by upper year students, - offers a course selection session, each year in March, for first year
students, and - matches first year students with professors for additional course
advising.
If you want advice on the various specialties or certificates, please connect with the relevant Director.
Information on courses and on the process for seeking accommodation can also be found under the “current students” tab on the law school website: http://www.dal.ca/faculty/law/current-students.html
DSAS (the Dalhousie Student Advocacy Service) exists to aid students with academic appeal and discipline matters. Call 494-2205 to speak with a student advocate.
For Dal’s office of Human Rights, Equity and Harassment
Prevention, visit www.hrehp.dal.ca or www.ombudsperson.dal.ca
If you have intellectual, learning or physical disabilities, speak with the Assistant Dean, Academic, Elizabeth Hughes ([email protected]) for information regarding the supports that are available.
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Emotional Health
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You may also want to turn to professors for course assistance or more general advice. Remember: the professors were once law students too.
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- Career Planning - Exam Anxiety - Speak Easy - Study Skills
- Couples Group - Anger
Management - Coping with Loss
Check out some of these
workshops offered at Dal
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Physical Health
Dalplex
The Dalplex is the university’s recreation centre, which offers free
weights, cardio equipment, a pool, racquet sports and group fitness
classes. Full time Dal students have a membership included in student fees,
so take advantage of the perks. Check out the Dalplex website for more information and group fitness schedules: http://athletics.dal.ca/membership_facilities.html
Dalhousie has an on-campus medical clinic located at 1246 LeMarchant Street, only a few blocks away from Weldon. Your student health plan will cover a substantial portion of most prescriptions up front.
Dal Health Services Booking Line - 494-2171 Nurse - 494-2171 or [email protected] Website - http://healthservices.dal.ca
Check out the details of your health plan here:
Medical Clinic
https://www.studentvip.ca/dsu/ 4
Dal offers a number of services to help you maintain your
physical health during your studies.
Staying active is important for your mental health, too!
Nutrition
Whether you’re eating on-campus or at home, your diet will make a big difference in managing the stresses of law school. The extra time it takes to watch what you eat will pay off.
Dal has many on-campus dining options, many of which accept your DalCard as a payment method. Loading a budgeted amount of money onto your card can save you time during hectic school days. Plan ahead to make sure you’re eating properly throughout the day.
Here’s a list of restaurants and cafes on campus: www.campusdish.com/en-us/CA/Dalhousie Check out Dal’s off-campus meal plans to free up even more time https://mealplans.housing.dal.ca/
Dal also offers group workshops for individuals who struggle with eating disorders: http://counsellingservices.dal.ca
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Tip – try tracking your eating habits online at
a website like www.eatracker.ca
Need a pick-me-up? Instead of an energy drink or a second cup of coffee, try a complex carbohydrate like an apple. It’ll give you the boost
you need without dehydrating you or filling you up with sugar.
Balance
1. Walk a lap of wherever you’re studying every hour.
2. Try desk exercises: http://workawesome.com/office-life/office-desk-exercises/
3. Pick an activity you like and ALWAYS get yourself away from studying to enjoy it, at least once per week. It may feel like you’re wasting time, but clearing your head will boost how efficiently you study.
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Try these tips to keep your body at peace with your
mind :
Check out these online workouts for a quick study break:
http://www.fitnessblender.com/v/exercise-group/full-length-workout-videos/21/
http://www.doyogawithme.com/
As a law student, there’s a lot of pressure on you to excel. You might find yourself studying right through meal times, or drinking energy drinks at midnight to
keep studying. However, pushing yourself this hard can backfire and have negative effects. Law school doesn’t have
to consume your life. You can do well while maintaining balance.
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Check out the CDO website for updated information and
contacts: www.myschulichlaw.ca
The Law Students Society is a student-run organization at Weldon that serves the student body. Stop by room 340 to meet your executives, ask questions, voice concerns or grab a cup of coffee.
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During your first year, students will be able to run for the position of section representatives. This
representative will be a communications liaison between the LSS and your section.
The LSS is home to your Wellness Committee who partner with the
Law School to bring you the Weldon-centric wellness
programming.
Check the LSS website to find out who your student representatives, co-chairs, and executives are and how to get in touch with them: http://www.dallss.com/home 7
The LSS
Spiritual Health
- Monday night dinners (free!) for any Dal students
- Christian Students Group - Baha’I Devotional Group - Catholic-Christian
Outreach - Christian Meditation - Christian Chapel - Roman Catholic Confession - Islamic Prayer
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Visit the Multifaith Centre website for full schedules, more information and advice on how to deal with aggressive religious groups on campus:
http://multifaithcentre.studentservices.dal.ca
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It’s also possible to start by practicing on your own with the help of a few basic tools, such as guided recordings. The following website is a useful resource for beginners: http://www.onlinemeditation.org/
Meditation is a simple practice but it isn’t easy, and it’s helpful to have a structured program in which to learn the fundamentals. At the Schulich School of Law, we offer an 8-week Mindfulness in Law course to give students a solid grounding in meditation practice. This involves instruction in:
• Mindfulness theory • Practicing sitting, standing & walking meditation • Qi gong breathing • Discussions and journaling
Contact Assistant Dean Sarah Kirby at [email protected] for further information.
For more information on mindfulness in law generally, visit http://themindfullawyer.com/resources/index.html
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Sexual Health
Dalhousie’s main LGBTQ society is called DalOUT; learn more about it here: www.dalout.ca
Dal also offers an Allies program on campus to support students, staff and faculty of the LGBTQ community. Find an ally or become one here: http://dalally.studentservices.dal.ca/
The Halifax Sexual Health Clinic offers anonymous STI testing, including blood work, without a doctor’s referral. It is also equipped with literature on sexual health, contraceptives and resources for students.
Visit http://www.halifaxsexualhealth.ca/ for more information on the services offered.
HSHC
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In addition to medical services offered by
Dal, these on-campus resources are
available to all Dal students.
Allies
Dalhousie is a welcoming environment for all people.
OutLAW is the law school’s student society for LGBTQ students: [email protected]
Dalhousie offers resources for female students, single parents and students with families. Check out some of these services that encourage family wellness and personal health.
The Dal South House (SoHo) offers a multitude of resources to female students including childcare, family-friendly events, single parent bursaries, advocacy, and community resources for sexual health and emergency services. The SoHo is also a welcoming study and lounge space with a library and kitchen
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Dalhousie offers non-profit childcare facilities for students with children. Check out the University Children’s
Centre for more information http://ucc.dal.ca
Family Service Association, 420-1980 Professional for-free counseling services for individuals, couples, and families.
www.southhousehalifax.ca
Email: [email protected]
Resources for
Aboriginal and African
Canadian Students
The Mi’kmaq are the First Peoples of Nova Scotia and African Nova Scotians were among the first settlers of the Province. Through the Dalhousie Aboriginal Law Students Association (DALSA), the Dalhousie Black Law Students Association (DBLSA) and the Indigenous Blacks & Mi’kmaq Initiative (IB&M) and other organizations, Aboriginal and Black students make a dynamic contribution to the Law School, the University and the broader community. The Indigenous Blacks & Mi’kmaq (IB&M) Initiative recruits promising Black and Aboriginal law students, particularly from historically underrepresented Mi’kmaq and African Nova Scotian communities, to fulfill its broad mandate of decreasing structural discrimination by increasing representation in the legal profession. It also serves as a resource for current students and promotes the understanding of Aboriginal legal knowledge systems and African Canadian legal perspectives within legal education. More information can be found at: www.ibandm.law.dal.ca. Contact: [email protected], 902-494-1639
The Native Education Counselling Unit, a division of The Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq, provides educational and support services to all native postsecondary students in the Halifax/Metro area. Location: 2nd Floor, 6286 South Street. 902-494-8863
The Black Student Advising Center serves the needs of students of African descent at Dalhousie. http://blackstudentadvisingcentre.studentservices.dal.ca
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Financial Support
1. Invest in a few good travel mugs and keep instant coffee or tea bags in your school bag. There’s hot water in the lounge and $2 a day adds up to an expensive habit.
2. Take advantage of Student Discount Tuesdays at Sobey’s or
Superstore when grocery shopping.
3. Eat for free when you can. Go to Law Hour for the pizza...in fact go to any law school event that offers a meal. St. Andrews Church on Robie and Spring Garden also offers a free home-cooked dinner for Dal students on Tuesdays.
Law school is a huge time commitment and many students choose not to work during the school year, although some law students do continue to work part-time. Money can therefore be a major stressor. Here are some tips and resources to help you budget.
The Dal Money Matters website is designed to help students budget for the school year, track tuition fees, and apply for financial aid. http://www.dal.ca/admissions/money_matters.html Check out Dal’s website for more help: www.dal.ca/faculty/law/programs/jd-admissions/money-matters.html
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Money Saving
Tips
Money Matters
What to do
if you feel like
dropping out...
Some students may consider withdrawing from Law School. For some, this will be a positive choice that will enable them to invest confidently in another career direction. For others, thoughts of dropping out may arise out of circumstances which seem daunting at the time, but for which there are remedies.
Such decisions are best made when students have had the opportunity to carefully reflect on their situation. Feedback from
others who have some distance from the situation, but who are empathetic, may also be helpful.
You are not alone in your class if you experience: • Loneliness or homesickness • Personal crisis • Physical or mental health problems • Money shortfalls • Work overload • Social dislocation • A sense of discontinuity or feeling unready • Political or social alienation • Boredom • Substance-related problems
If these kinds of obstacles seem too burdensome, start talking rather than letting your isolation grow. Speak with your fellow students, your friends, your family, your professors, the Associate Dean or one of the Assistant Deans.
Facing such dilemmas openly and involving others in your decision-making may give you some perspective and save you a great deal of time and stress.
When you feel like things are getting out of hand, remember that you are not alone.
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Law Students Society
President – Anthony Rosborough - [email protected] VP Executive – Marc Njoh - [email protected] VP Finance – Aggrey Semi - [email protected] VP Academic – Jennifer Hand - [email protected] VP External – Leah Staples - [email protected] VP Communications – Lindy Herrington - [email protected] Dalhousie Contacts
Athletics and Recreation Services - 494-3372 Dal Intramurals - [email protected] - 494-2002
Dalhousie Counseling Services – [email protected] - 494-2081 Multifaith Centre - [email protected] - 494-2287 Health Services - [email protected] - 494-2171 Student Health Promotion - [email protected] - 494-6830 Women’s Centre – [email protected] - 494-2432 Allies at Dalhousie - [email protected]
Student Accounts - [email protected] - 494-3990 Neighbourhood Concerns - 494-2517 Dalhousie Student Union - [email protected] - 494-1106
Academic Counseling and Support
Michael Deturbide - Associate Dean [email protected] - 494-1041
Elizabeth Hughes - Assistant Dean, Academic [email protected] - 494-1043
Student Services and Support
Sarah Kirby - Assistant Dean, Student Services [email protected] - 494-7115 Career Development Office
Rose Godfrey – [email protected] - 494-1018
Sarah Kirby – [email protected] - 494-7115
Megan Dixon – [email protected] - 494-2068
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Get to know the student societies around Weldon. Check out the DSU website for more student societies outside of the law school as well: www.dsu.ca 494 - 3990
Artist Legal Information Society …………….…..………………...………………....…… www.nsalis.com Business Law Association of Dalhousie…....www.businesslawdalhousie.weebly.com Christian Legal Fellowship ............................................................................... [email protected] Community Outreach............................................ [email protected] Dalhousie Aboriginal Law Students’ Association…...……..... [email protected] Dalhousie Asian Law Students’ Association……..….………………………..…… [email protected] Dalhousie Black Law Students’ Association…............................... [email protected] Dalhousie Feminist Legal Association …….……. [email protected] Dalhousie Jewish Law Student’s Association............................................ [email protected] Dalhousie Journal of Legal Studies.................................................................................... [email protected] Dalhousie Sports and Entertainment Law Society................... [email protected] Domus Legis Society..................................................................................................www.domuslegis.ca Environmental Law Students’ Society........................................................................... [email protected] Health Law Students’ Association.......................................................... [email protected] Intellectual Property Law Association at Dalhousie................. [email protected] John E. Read International Law Students’ Society........................................... [email protected] Law Hour Committee......................................................................................................... [email protected] Multi-Disciplinary Law Society............................................................................................mlsa@dal.ca OutLAW............................................................................................................. [email protected] Pro Bono....................................................................................................................................... [email protected] Student Activist Law Students’ Association........................................... [email protected] Weldon Times.................................................................................... [email protected] Wellness Committee ……………………………………………………………...…. [email protected]
Get passionate about the cause that brought you to law school! Join a society and enrich your law school experience.
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Societies at
Weldon