From hands-on creative workshops and mindfulness exercises to movement and music, Niagara College students stepped away from their usual routines to discover new ways to support their mental health and wellbeing at the fall term RESET Conference.
Hosted by NC’s Athletics & Student Engagement and Health & Counselling Services teams on October 26 at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, RESET: A Student Wellbeing Conference brought students together for a day of hands-on activities, creative exploration and meaningful connection, discovering new ways to support their mental health and wellbeing.
Now in its fourth year, RESET, which stands for Reflect, Engage, Support, Empower and Thrive, encourages students to prioritize their wellbeing while discovering practical strategies they can incorporate into their everyday lives.
Throughout the day, students chose from a diverse lineup of interactive workshops led by NC faculty, staff, alumni and external wellness professionals, each bringing their own expertise and perspectives on wellbeing.
“RESET is an opportunity for students to step away from the demands of their academic lives, connect with others and discover new ways to support their mental health and wellbeing,” said Ali Weir, Director, Student Community Development. “What makes this conference so special is the involvement of our College community, with faculty, staff and alumni sharing their knowledge, skills and experiences to help students prioritize their wellbeing both inside and outside the classroom.”
Students kicked off the fall RESET Conference with an interactive icebreaker that encouraged them to meet new people, share fun facts and build connections with their peers.
Wellbeing through creativity and connection
The day began with an interactive icebreaker that encouraged students to meet new people and build connections before exploring a variety of workshops focused on creativity, movement and mindfulness.
At NC’s Teaching Greenhouse, students enjoyed a guided tour as part of the Teaching Greenhouse Tour & Succulent Planting Workshop, where they learned about hydroponic vegetable production and the diverse plants grown on campus. They also had the opportunity to select, transplant and learn to care for their own succulents to take home.
Movement was another highlight of the day. NC Recreation Therapy alumna Frida Rocio Zebadua Vera (2024) returned to facilitate VIBREN (Latin Dance & DROM), an energizing workshop that combined Latin-inspired rhythms, drumsticks, exercise balls and breathing exercises. Students explored how music and movement can help release stress, improve focus and foster a sense of connection.
In another session, Calming, Centering, Mental Clarity: Modern Use of Ancient Labyrinths, facilitated by NC staff member Renate Giesbrecht, students explored mindfulness through finger tracing, walking a floor labyrinth, breathing exercises and reflective journaling. The activities encouraged participants to slow down, refocus and discover techniques for managing stress.
Students also had the opportunity to participate in eight additional breakout workshops, including Sensory Mindfulness with Tea, The Whole-Body Reset, Moss & Mindfulness, Debugging Stress, Sound Meditation, Forest Therapy, Planning for Peace of Mind, and RESET Through Movement, each offering different approaches to supporting mental health and wellbeing.
NC Libraries and Learning Centres bring creativity and mindfulness to RESET
During lunch, NC’s Libraries and Learning Centres (LLC) team offered students a creative break in the Saundra Patterson Wellness Lounge through two hands-on activities showcasing resources available through The Exploratory Makerspace.
Led by Siscoe Boschman, Library Facilitator and Sheri Waldie, Library Technician, students had the opportunity to learn how to knit a reusable coffee mug sleeve or design a personalized study mug. The activities encouraged participants to step away from their screens, explore their creativity and learn new skills in a relaxed environment.
“Creative, hands-on activities can provide students with a valuable opportunity to take a break from academic pressures and focus on something enjoyable and rewarding,” said Boschman. “Activities such as knitting and drawing encourage participants to slow down, be present, and engage in a mindful experience away from their usual responsibilities.”
Beyond introducing students to the creative tools and resources available through The Exploratory, the LLC’s involvement demonstrated how different areas of the College can contribute to initiatives that support student wellbeing.
“Initiatives like the RESET Conference are most impactful when the entire College community comes together to support student well-being,” said Boschman. “When students see different departments participating, it reinforces the message that student success and mental health are shared priorities across the institution, and that support is available in many forms.”
Students explored their creativity by learning to knit or designing personalized study mugs during a hands-on activity led by NC’s Library and Learning Centres team in the Saundra Patterson Wellness Lounge.
A College-wide approach to student wellbeing
The conference also highlighted the important role that faculty, staff, alumni and departments across NC can play in supporting student wellbeing.
From sharing professional expertise and personal interests to introducing students to campus resources, facilitators brought a range of experiences and perspectives to the conference, demonstrating how wellbeing can be supported in many different ways.
The LLC’s participation is one example of how different areas of the College can contribute to initiatives like RESET, creating opportunities for students to connect with the broader campus community while developing new skills and approaches to self-care.
With the next RESET Conference planned for the Winter term at the Welland Campus, NC’s Student Engagement team is encouraging more faculty, staff and departments to get involved by sharing their skills, interests and expertise.
Members of the NC community interested in facilitating a session or learning more about opportunities to participate in future conferences are encouraged to contact [email protected].
