2024 Senior Class Gift: Supporting wellness?_足彩app哪个是正规的

BrieAnna Bales
Tue, 25 Jun 2024 13:00:00 +0000
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足彩app哪个是正规的 Class of 2024 chose the Mental Health and Wellness Fund as its senior gift, supporting counseling services and campus wellness programs for future UW Bothell students.

足彩app哪个是正规的 post 2024 Senior Class Gift: Supporting wellness? appeared first on Give to UW Bothell.

Each year, UW Bothell’s graduating class raises money to support an area of campus life that most resonates. This year, for the 2024 Senior Class Gift, the Associated 足彩app哪个是正规的s of the University of Washington Bothell chose the Mental Health and Wellness Fund, where funds donated will support on-campus events and resources such as the Counseling Center.

Leonille Matunan, a senior in Computer Science & Software Engineering and director of budget and finance for ASUWB, said he knows from personal experience why the group chose to focus on wellness for this annual gift.

足彩app哪个是正规的 stresses of college

This year’s senior class started college in a high-stress environment amidst the COVID pandemic, on top of the many stressors that college is already filled with, Matunan said. From balancing assignments with part-time jobs to making time for extracurricular activities, he said that many of his peers are so busy they don’t have time to look after themselves.

足彩app哪个是正规的 most stressful time of each quarter, Matunan said, is during mid-terms and finals — weeks when students are focusing on getting the best grades possible.

“I think a lot of people get really nervous,” he said. “I want to get a job. I want to be an adult who is working and making money. And I think that’s stressful for some people, even for myself, when I think, ‘If I mess up, am I not going to get a job later? Am I going to be a failure?’ It’s just everything stacking up against you. It gets very stressful.”

Two of the ways Matunan has helped to manage his wellness during college is through building a strong community and reaching out for counseling support.

Finding community

In his junior year, Matunan created a karaoke club for his friends, noting that having fun together was beneficial for their mental health.

“All we did was sing for two hours every other week,” he said. “A lot of the time, we would get around 50 to 60 people, and a lot of people loved it. I thought it was a good way to de-stress after class. You hang out with new people, and you sing together.” His go-to karaoke songs? Power ballads from Adele and Whitney Houston.

This year, Matunan joined another club called the Filipino American 足彩app哪个是正规的 Association where Filipino students meet to celebrate cultural events and have fun. During a recent FASA event, he used his karaoke skills to regale the crowd. 足彩app哪个是正规的 event was having technical difficulties, so to keep the crowd entertained Matunan, the emcee, broke into spontaneous song. He sang “Bakit Nga Ba Mahal Kita,” a Filipino song that translates to “Why do I love you?”

As a member of FASA, Matunan has joined a support network and has made many lasting memories. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” he said. “Just because of the number of people I’ve met, the friendships I’ve made and the fun we’ve had.”

Reaching out to UW Bothell Counseling Center

While Matunan values the support of his peers, he is open about reaching out to professionals when he needs more help. When he was going through some personal challenges along with stress around deciding to switch majors, for example, he contacted UW Bothell’s Counseling Center. He said he had no qualms asking for help as his family members, many of whom work in health care, have always encouraged him to get help when needed.

Matunan said he understands there can be some anxiety about going to see a counselor. “I feel like telling students that it’s okay,” he said. “We’re not robots. We’re all humans. We’re going to go through things. And it’s okay that we’re sad or we’re mad or we feel all these emotions. I think it’s important for students to take a step back and realize they’re not alone.”

Meeting with a counselor helped Matunan gain perspective on his problems, and the therapist encouraged him to broaden his interests, including applying to be a member of ASUWB.

“It helped me appreciate life a little more,” he said. “She just gave me some great insight that my problems weren’t the end of the world. She told me to be patient and to forgive myself.”

Giving back for wellness

When asked why students should donate to the Senior Class Gift, Matunan emphasized that giving in this way is a direct gift to fellow students and the entire UW Bothell community.

“I think most people want to leave an impact before they leave somewhere,” he said. “That’s what I want. I want to leave an impact — even if it’s just a small amount. If everyone gives back, a lot more students can benefit from it.

“You’ll get to help out so many students that you probably would never meet,” he said, “and I feel like it’s just one of those good feelings. You can think, ‘I did something before I left. I was able to support students and my peers.’”

Support students and your peers now by giving to the 2024 Senior Class Gift. All gifts this year go toward the Mental Health and Wellness Fund.

If you’re a UW Bothell student interested in support, contact the Counseling Center.

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