Building Your Community On Campus

Photograph of students gathered at tables with the text "Find Your Community."

As the days get shorter and the air gets colder, it can sometimes feel hard not to just hunker down and hibernate for the winter. However, the colder, darker months can be when many of us need community the most. Community is care and can reduce those seasonal blues! Here are a few ways you can connect with a community and prioritize your social well-being this month.

 

  1. Join communities that celebrate who you are and what you love. From identity-based orgs at the Trotter Multicultural Center, Spectrum Center, or First-Gen Gateway to student organizations, volunteer programs, and more that foster belonging through shared experiences. Visit the MaizePages website for details about all the different student organizations on campus.
  2. Wellness workshops and tools: Wolverine Wellness offers a range of wellness workshops and tools that center wellbeing, self-compassion and collective care. To learn more about these and other resources offered by Wolverine Wellness, click here.
  3. Collaborate, don’t compete. Build relationships that lift others up — for example, through peer mentorship, group study sessions, or shared advocacy projects.
  4. Ask for support. Reaching out to and making use of campus resources like Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and the Dean of Students Office can be an important step when some additional support is needed.
  5. Reflect on what community means to you. Taking a moment to ask yourself “Where do I feel most connected on campus?” or, “How can I contribute to that space?” can be a valuable part of helping to create your community. Building social well-being starts with noticing the ways you can bring kindness, inclusion, and care into your everyday interactions.

For more options, check out the Student Life website to find your community on campus. Remember, Wolverines - ​​your story, your culture, and your care matter here. Together, we’re creating a community where wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s built from the strength of our differences, the courage to connect, and the power of community.