Studentenwelzijn
Student Well-being Week 2023
- Date
- Monday 13 November 2023 - Friday 17 November 2023
- Address
- Leiden, The hague and online
Stay physically and mentally healthy during the Student Well-being Week
Leiden university wants to ensure its students stay in good health, both mentally and physically. For this reason, from 13 to 17 November we are holding the annual Student Well-being Week in collaboration with our students and partners. A week filled with activities to help you relax, work on your personal development and meet fellow students.
Sign up for an outdoor bootcamp, a workshop on dealing with performance pressure, or an afternoon of swapping plant cuttings. You can also go bouldering with fellow students, discover how to stay in balance, improve your hugging technique, or relax during a nature walk.
Check the whole programme and sign up for one or more of the free activities. Full is full so don’t miss out!
The programme is also available as a PDF file.
Student Well-being Week Programme
09:00-10:00 – Morning Meditation (ENG) - Online
Join this morning meditation session and start your day calm and collected. After an introductory explanation, enjoy the benefits of meditating together. Afterwards, there is a short space to share and reflect. The meditation session is organised by Rapenburg 100, where students can also meditate for free.
Register for Morning Meditation
11:00-16:00 - Cuddle King 2000 (ENG/NL) – The Hague
In many ways, technology has made our lives more frictionless. Everything should be as easy and efficient as possible. A lot has also changed in the dating world. We swipe through all those dating apps, looking for a match. But do we still understand the noble art of being rejected? Are we still open to finding something or someone we are not looking for? In short: are we still getting a healthy dose of social friction
With the Cuddle King 2000, awkward dates and social awkwardness are a thing of the past. The interactive installation Cuddle King 2000 quickly provides insight into the state of your cuddling technique. Train your hugging technique during the Well-being Week. Make every cuddle count!
Location: Wijnhaven, ground floor.
12:00-13:00 - Walk-in hour for questions about your well-being/well-being support (ENG/NL) - Leiden
Would you like to know who to turn to for specific types of help or if you’re not feeling well? Come along to our walk-in hour. One of the student assistants from the Student Welfare team will be on hand to answer all your questions. Whether it’s about study issues, career advice, psychological support, meeting fellow students or anything else, we are happy to help. This walk-in hour offers the perfect opportunity to drop in and find out who you can turn to for support when you need it.
Location: Plexus, living room.
13:15-15:15 – Workshop: How to handle career stress (ENG) - The Hague
Sometimes it feels like everyone around you has finished three internships, two masters and had time left over to do volunteer work in the summers. In short, everybody seems to be more prepared than you to start that first job. Of course this isn’t true, but it can be a big source of stress. In this workshop we will talk about the origins of this stress and learn how to deal with it better. We will also define what your first step should be when you start looking for that graduate job, internship or project.
Location: Wijnhaven, room 2.17.
Register Workshop Career Stress
15:00-17:00 – Nature walk (ENG) - Leiden
Walking and appreciating nature can help you to feel more relaxed, happy, and creative. It can give you a great boost. These Nature Walks are organised by the Nature Academy and are designed to help you connect with yourself, your fellow students, and nature itself. During the guided walk, you can peacefully soak in your surroundings or join in conversations on the basis of thought-provoking questions. The walk will take place in the Polderpark Cronesteyn.
Location: Starting point at entrance to Lammenschans train station, Leiden.
16:00-18:00 - Visual Art Workshop (ENG) - Leiden
Draw a portrait à la Rembrandt. Leiden is the birthplace of the artist Rembrandt van Rijn. In this workshop you will draw on of Rembrandt’s self-portraits. With a number of simple techniques you can create a great drawing using the techniques of the old masters. Be surprised and join in!
Location: Lak Atelier, Lipsius 1.44.
19:30-21.00 - Bouldering (ENG/NL) - The Hague
Bouldering is a great way to exercise. It is a climbing sport, but unlike sport-climbing (which is done with a rope), bouldering routes are much shorter. This allows you to climb without a rope. A thick fall mat under the wall ensures that you can fall safely. The boulder routes are designed so that a combination of strength and technique is needed to complete the route. Every boulder is a new puzzle!
Location: Boulderhal Walhalla.
09:30-10:30 - Power Yoga (ENG) - The Hague
Power yoga connects fitness and yoga. You will get yourself in peak physical condition by doing fast-paced sequences that warm up the body and improve your stamina, flexibility and strength. In power yoga classes, the focus is more on physical poses rather than breathing techniques and meditation.
Are you curious what power yoga can do for you? Join the class! It doesn’t matter if you’re new to yoga or experienced. Our teacher will support you in every part of your yoga journey.
Location: The Buzz, round dance hall.
Register Power Yoga (The Hague)
09:30-10:30 - Power Yoga (ENG) - Leiden
Power yoga connects fitness and yoga. You will get yourself in peak physical condition by doing fast-paced sequences that warm up the body and improve your stamina, flexibility and strength. In power yoga classes, the focus is more on physical poses rather than breathing techniques and meditation.
Are you curious what power yoga can do for you? Join the class! It doesn’t matter if you’re new to yoga or experienced. Our teacher will support you in every part of your yoga journey.
Location: USC, Combizaal.
13:00-14:30 – Workshop: Negotiating (NL) – Online
This activity is in Dutch. See the Dutch page for a description of the activity.
14:00-16:00 - Swapping plant cuttings afternoon (ENG/NL) - Leiden
Plants are good for your mental health and growing plants can give you a sense of pride. During this afternoon of swapping plant cuttings you can acquire new plants and make others happy with one of your cuttings. There is also time to exchange plant tips with each other.
Bringing your own plant cutting is preferred but not compulsory. A small number of Hortus cuttings will also be available. Hortus employees will be on hand to answer questions and provide tips on plant cuttings.
Entrance to the Hortus is free of charge for all Leiden students between 14:00-16:00 hrs - upon presentation of your LU -card.
Location: Hortus Botanicus Leiden, Orangery.
I will join the afternoon swapping plant cuttings
15:30-16:30 - LifeHack: A workshop to help you work on your mental health (NL) - Leiden
This activity is in Dutch. See the Dutch page for a description of the activity.
Location: Pieter de la Court building, Room 1A.01.
17:00-23:00 an activity for all members of the FWN Study Associations (NL/ENG) – Leiden
On this page you will find more information.
19:00-21:30 - Food for Thought: Potluck Dinner - The Importance of Friendship (ENG) - Leiden
Join us at Rapenburg100 for a potluck dinner. Gathering around a table is an important social activity, and whilst food sustains our body, conversation can sustain our minds. Are you interested in getting together and talking about the meaning and importance of friendship? Then bring along your friends and your best dish and join us for a shared dinner!
Location: Rapenburg100 , Leiden.
19:30-21:00 - Workshop: Confidence in Public Speaking (ENG) - The Hague
Do you tend to get nervous before giving a presentation? Are you unsure how to prepare for a situation in which public speaking is required? Are you looking to gain confidence and experience in talking in front of an audience? Find your voice by attending this workshop from the Leiden MUN Foundation. We will make sure you are equipped with all the tools you need to make a success of your next public speaking event.
Location: Wijnhaven, 3.12 A/B
10:00-11:30 - Dealing with performance pressure as a student (ENG) - Online
Join us for an interactive lecture on performance pressure. We'll delve into understanding this type of pressure, its origins, its effects and how we can cope with it. Discover how mindfulness can be a powerful tool to manage performance pressure. Through a guided mindfulness exercise and practical techniques, we will explore ways to integrate mindfulness into our daily routine, handle performance pressure, and build towards a resilient growth mindset.
Register 'Dealing with performance pressure'
10:30-12:00 - Story & Sound Journey (NL) – Leiden
This activity is in Dutch. See the Dutch page for a description of the activity.
Location: USC, combizaal
Register 'Story & Sound Journey'
13:30-15:00 - Sustainable candle crafting (ENG) – Den Haag
Location: Beehive, Common Room
Bring your own mug, jam jar, or heat-resistant cup and join us for a candle-making experience. We will be creating scented candles using beeswax and essential oils, while the Green Office team shares insights on climate anxiety and related topics. As a bonus, we will provide glass and porcelain markers so you can personalise your newly crafted candles.
Register Sustainable Candle Crafting
14:00-15:30 - Well-being Booster workshop Positive Emotions (NL) - Leiden
This activity is in Dutch. See the Dutch page for a description of the activity.
Location: Sterrenwacht, C003
Register Well-being Booster workshop
14:00-16:00 - Game cafe (NL/ENG) - Leiden
Craving a hot chocolate and a cupcake? Us too. Would you rather be playing games instead of studying in the library? Us too. Come and join us in the Humanities Living Room, where a free hot chocolate bar and delicious cupcakes are waiting for you. Have a sweet treat, play some boardgames, or listen to a record and enjoy the cozy vibes. Let’s make some time for ourselves and embrace the little things in which we find happiness. Take a break - you deserve it! No registration needed.
Location: Humanities Living Room, Matthias de Vrieshof 4
16:00-18:00 - BookSwapFair (ENG) - Leiden
Come to exchange books at the FSW BookSwapFair. Bring some and take some, whilst enjoying some refreshments.
Location: FSW, living room, Wassenaarseweg 52, Leiden
16:30-18:00 - Boundaries, Communication & Consent workshop (ENG) – The Hague
This workshop aims to help you gain a better understanding of your own personal boundaries and how to communicate them in social situations. Topics that are addressed include the diversity of experiences people have, the ways in which our unique personal identities and situations shape our boundaries, and how we can understand the experiences and boundaries of others.
Location: Wijnhaven, 2.19
16:00-17:00 1K Z1E J3 – Making suicidality discussable (NL/ENG) – Leiden
Location: Faculty of Science
Talking about suicidal thoughts is important, but far from easy. To facilitate discussions on this challenging subject, the university is organizing various initiatives. Today, conversation biscuits are being distributed. Use the biscuit as a bridge to ask how things are going to someone you think needs it. Attend the unveiling of a 1K Z1E J3 bench at Huygens at 4pm, a place to take a moment for each other and truly understand how someone is feeling. You will recognise the bench by a gold plaque with the inscription: 'Een goed gesprek begint met iemand écht zien'.
09:00-10:00 - Outdoor Bootcamp (ENG) - Leiden
Fancy starting your day in the fresh air? Then join this outdoor bootcamp. During the training session we will alternate between cardio exercises and strength training for the abs, legs and upper body. Get fit, clear your head and meet new people.
Location: Plexfit (Kaiserstraat 25)
11:00-13:00 – Nature walk (ENG) – The Hague
Walking and appreciating nature can help you to feel more relaxed, happy, and creative. It can give you a great boost. These Nature Walks are organised by the Nature Academy and are designed to help you connect with yourself, your fellow students, and nature itself. During this guided walk, you can peacefully soak in your surroundings or join in conversations on the basis of thought-provoking questions. During this nature walk we will explore the 'Haagse Bos.
Location: Starting point at The Hague Central Station (near the piano)
Register Nature Walk (The Hague)
13:30-14:30 – Workshop: Getting motivated for self-study (ENG) - Leiden
Do you find it hard to push yourself to study? Do you spend less time on self-study than you would like? In this workshop, you will work on what is holding you back and explore how to motivate yourself to do what it is you want and need to do.
Location: Pieter de la Court Building, SA49
Regsiter Workshop 'Getting motivated for self-study'
13:30-17:30 - Resuscitation CPR and AED use Course (ENG) - Leiden
Location: Rode Kruis, Apollolaan 1B, Leiden
During this Basic Life Support incl. AED course, you learn how to apply this technique and use an AED. You learn how you bring a person to safety, how to assess their condition and alert the emergency services.
Under the supervision of a certified Red Cross instructor, you learn how to administer First Aid to someone who is unresponsive and is either breathing or not breathing. You practise the skills you have learned in Basic Life Support and the use of an AED on Basic Life Support manikins.
Once you have completed the course successfully, you receive a Red Cross Basic Life Support certificate (ECAC recognised). The certificate is valid for two years, and may be extended by doing a refresher course. After completion of the course, for reference, you receive the Course Book First Aid.
15:15-16:45 - Well-being Booster workshop - Positive Emotions (ENG) - The Hague
Do you want to learn more about the science of wellbeing and how to become more aware of all the positive things in your life? Then this Well-being Booster workshop is for you! We will dive into the research on positive psychology, find out what makes humans flourish, and check in with your own well-being through multiple fun exercises.
Location: Schouw, A2.01
Register Workshop 'Positive Emotions'
16:30-18:00 – Workshop - Being an ally (ENG) – Leiden
Location: Pieter De La Court, 1A.12
As a student, you find yourself in many different communities and groups. Do you agree it’s important that everyone feels safe, respected and heard? During this workshop we will talk about inclusive cultures and complex situations such as bullying, harassment and discrimination in groups. Share your experiences and learn from each other during this workshop.
This workshop is cancelled.
17:15-18:15 - Balance Workshop Balans (ENG) - Online
Sometimes you may feel like things are not going well. You respond differently than you would like, get irritated easily or just withdraw. Yet you can’t identify a clear reason why this is. It could be that you are not completely in balance during those moments.
E-Health platform Gezondeboel would like to invite you to this workshop on balance in your life. Find out if you are in balance and what you can do to become, and stay, more balanced. This workshop will look at a number of practical steps.
The workshop is hosted by e-health developer Gerjanne Strating and trainer and e-health specialist Daniëlla Ham.
19:30 - 21:00 - Workshop Loneliness and substance use (NL) - The Hague
This activity is in Dutch. See the Dutch page for a description of the activity.
Location: Wijnhaven, 3.60
09:30-10:30 - Time Management Training (ENG) - Online
Feeling overwhelmed? Is your to-do list running your life? Stressed by endless tasks? Join the Time Management Training by De Kleine Consultant. Unlock the secrets to regain control, boost productivity, and achieve work-life balance. Learn proven techniques, set achievable goals, and transform chaos into calm. Don't let time slip away – seize it! Sign up now and embrace a more efficient, stress-free life. Take charge of your time, thrive in your endeavours, and discover the true power of effective time management.
Register Time Management Training
11:00-12:00 - Be @ease: Breaking taboos in mental health and learning more about coping strategies (ENG) - Leiden
How are you really doing? Who do you talk to when you're struggling? In this workshop @ease volunteers will discuss common mental health struggles and what makes it difficult to talk about mental problems. We will also discuss and practice using simple strategies that can help you feel better or make it easier to reach out.
Location: KOG, B025
13:00-14:00 – Workshop: Attention and AD(H)D (NL) - Leiden
This activity is in Dutch. See the Dutch page for a description of the activity.
Location: Pieter de la Court, 1A37
Regsiter Workshop 'Attention and AD(H)D'
15:00-16:30 – Tote bag painting (ENG) - The Hague
Join us for a relaxing afternoon of designing you own tote bag. You even get to keep it at the end!
Location: Beehive, Common Room
17:00-22:00 - International Cultural Night (ENG) – Leiden
Join us for a special evening of culture, diversity and fun. The International Cultural Night, organised by the Meeting Point, returns with a surprising programme you don't want to miss.
We will kick off the event with an inspiring keynote speaker, this year focusing on sustainability. Then be enchanted by fellow students as they take you on a journey through their culture with dance, poetry and tasty snacks and drinks. It will be an evening of engaging conversations and the chance to meet new people.
Location: Plexus
Programme subject to change.
24/7 Online platforms
Did you know that the University, in collaboration with partners, has a wide range of digital training and support services available to you? Some examples:
GezondeBoel is an E-health platform with various modules, for example on loneliness. As a university student, you get free access to this platform.
This Podcast covers a variety of topics on student wellbeing, including finances, substance use, sexuality and more. The episodes are in English and Dutch.
Work on your mental health with an online coach. Find more information through the Caring Universities website.
For an overview of all well-being activities and services, visit the well-being website.