Setting up the semester for success—together
Welcome back to campus, Tar Heels. As the semester begins, you may be feeling excited, overwhelmed, or somewhere in between. However you’re arriving to this moment, Student Wellness is here to support your well-being and help you build skills to navigate the semester ahead.
A new semester brings new routines, responsibilities, and expectations. It also offers a chance to pause, reflect, and reset. You don’t need to have everything perfectly balanced. Student Wellness focuses on helping you develop habits and skills that support your health over time.
Looking Back to Move Forward
Before jumping into the semester ahead, it can be helpful to reflect on last term—not to judge yourself, but to notice patterns that may be affecting your well-being.
Consider the following questions:
- What habits helped me feel my best last semester?
- What routines were hard to maintain?
- When did stress start to build, and how did I respond?
- What’s one area of well-being I’d like to focus on this time?
Well-being isn’t about doing everything right. It’s about noticing what supports you and making small adjustments that add up over time.
Setting Intentions (Not Pressure)
As the semester begins, consider setting one or two intentions focused on building healthy habits rather than making major changes all at once.
Examples might include:
- Creating a routine that supports sleep, nutrition, and movement
- Practicing stress-management or mindfulness skills
- Building in time for rest, connection, or activities you enjoy
Intentions work best when they are realistic and flexible. Small, consistent steps can lead to meaningful change over the course of the semester.
How Student Wellness Can Support You
Student Wellness offers programs and services focused on prevention, skill-building, and day-to-day well-being, including:
- Wellness coaching to help you set goals and build healthy habits
- Workshops and programs focused on stress management, sleep, and balance
- Resources to support physical, emotional, and social well-being
- Opportunities to learn practical skills you can use throughout college and beyond
Student Wellness can be especially helpful if you’re feeling stretched thin, looking to build new routines, or wanting support before stress becomes overwhelming.
Part of Healthy Heels
Student Wellness is part of Healthy Heels, a collaboration across campus to support your whole self. Healthy Heels includes:
Campus Health
Medical care, preventive services, and support for your physical health.
CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services)
Mental health services including counseling, same-day support, groups, workshops, and 24/7 crisis care.
Heels Care Network
A coordinated set of campus resources to help connect you to care when life feels overwhelming.
Together, these services help support students at every stage of their well-being journey.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
Well-being looks different for everyone, and it changes over time. Reaching out for support doesn’t mean you’re struggling—it means you’re investing in your health.
Whether you’re interested in wellness coaching, workshops, or tools to manage stress and build balance, Student Wellness and the Healthy Heels network are here for you.
This semester, remember:
- Small changes can make a difference
- It’s okay to focus on progress, not perfection
- Support is available as you build healthier habits
Welcome back to campus. Student Wellness is here to support you this semester.