Join the Center for Student Advocacy and Wellness and Student Transition Experiences on January 30th, from 3:00-6:30pm for an evening of fun and wellness. We will be hosting a variety of workshops from some of your favorite student organizations and campus partners all focused on finding joy and prioritizing self-care during the harsh winter months. Check out our workshops below!
Schedule:
Ongoing Activities
Mocktails and Munchies: Parkes Hall 120
Photobooth: Parkes Hall 120
S'mores by the Firepit: Parkes Hall Courtyard
Breakout Workshops Round 1: 3:00-3:45pm
Movement with Polerize: Parkes Hall 122
Movement with Polerize will be focused on exploring your strength and sensuality through Pole Dancing! This workshop will teach you pole dancing basics and how to command the pole with confidence while tapping into your unique creative expression! No prior experience necessary, and whether you’re a total beginner or looking to refine your flow, join us to build strength and embrace your glow.
Stress- Relief Bar with NOMO: Parkes Hall 223
Feeling overwhelmed? Drop into NOMO’s Stress-Relief Bar for a quick mental reset! Create slime, make a stress ball, and enjoy low-pressure activities designed to help you relax—plus, get to know NOMO and the resources available to you at Northwestern.
Reading Sampler with BYOBook: Parkes Hall 204
Can’t commit to just one book? You don’t have to. At the Reading Sampler, you’ll sample a new book every two minutes, explore different genres, and find your next great read—all while enjoying a relaxed, low-pressure reading vibe inspired by NU’s BYOBook Club.
Potting & Painting Social with OSTE: Parkes Hall 121
Get your hands a little dirty and your creativity flowing! Paint a pot, plant a succulent, and enjoy a relaxing break while creating something you can take home and grow.
Breakout Workshops Round 2: 4:00-4:45pm
Movement with Polerize: Parkes Hall 122
Movement with Polerize will be focused on exploring your strength and sensuality through Pole Dancing! This workshop will teach you pole dancing basics and how to command the pole with confidence while tapping into your unique creative expression! No prior experience necessary, and whether you’re a total beginner or looking to refine your flow, join us to build strength and embrace your glow.
Cosplay as Connection: Using Community Play and Costuming as a Route to Wellness and Healing: Parkes Hall 212
From movie premieres to local charities to social media and tv screens - cosplay, the art of dressing up as a fictional character, has recently skyrocketed into the social consciousness. Before the promotion, likes, and views that now fill our minds; however, cosplay began as a form of play and a community for people to gather and appreciate shared interests. In this workshop we explore the ways in which the art of cosplay creation can foster emotional and social wellness, the ways in which it has been used in as part of resilience building and healing from harm, and how to get started on your cosplay journey. Attendees will engage in crafting mood boards for a future/conceptual cosplay and receive a guide to entering the Chicago cosplay scene in a safe/supportive manner.
Among the Trees: Being with Nature & Each Other: Parkes Hall 214
Need a peaceful reset? Come learn about sit spots—a simple, reflective way to connect with nature, yourself, and others. We’ll spend time outside or by a window, reflect on nature as a spiritual practice, make something by hand, and help you plug into the Among the Trees GroupMe for accountability and community.
Mindful Movement: Parkes Hall 204
Need a breather? Join us for Mindful Movement, a slow, accessible yoga session that blends gentle movement with mindfulness. It’s all about listening to your body, staying present, and leaving feeling a little more relaxed than when you arrived.
Suncatchers with OSTE: Parkes Hall 121
Take a pause this winter and create something bright. This relaxing event invites you to paint a suncatcher while enjoying a peaceful atmosphere designed for rest and creativity.
Breakout Workshops Round 3: 5:00-5:45pm
Zen, or Just to Be: Home is Where Your Feet Stand: Parkes Hall 204
New to meditation? You’re welcome here. Join us for an Intro to Zen session with a brief intro, a guided meditation (standing or seated), and time to reflect with others. No experience needed—just show up and give yourself a pause.
Aiki Taiso: Centering Breath & Body Movements: Parkes Hall 122
Curious about martial arts but want something low-key? This session introduces gentle, beginner-friendly movements from Aikido, a Japanese martial art that focuses on breathing, grounding, and relaxation. No experience needed—just come move, breathe, and reset.
Positivity & Wellness Technology with Joyful Rise: Parkes Hall 213
Built by students, for students. Join us for a demo of Joyful Rise, a wellness app created by an NU student, and learn how technology can support positivity and mental well-being.
Collaborative Comic- Making: Parkes Hall 214
No art skills? No problem. Team up with other students to create short comics using fun prompts and easy templates. It’s all about creativity, collaboration, and having a good time—come draw, laugh, and make something together.
NU Crossword Team: Parkes Hall 215
Puzzle, relax, repeat. Join us for quick crossword challenges you can solve solo or together—perfect for a low-key brain break and a little collaborative fun.
Paint the Rock with OSTE: Parkes Hall 121
Join us for one of Northwestern’s favorite traditions—rock painting! Add your own creative touch, relax with friends, and help spread color and Wildcat spirit across campus.