Surf your Stress Week 2024

Start your day with a delicious FREE breakfast and Dance to the Beat!
We invite you to get up extra early today. Jump in the shower and come to campus. Join the silent disco, energise yourself for the day ahead and have fun.

Team up with your friends, or housemates and enjoy the music.
(formerly known as Breakfast Rave)

TIP go to the webpage of Student Career Services for more inspiring workshops about career, internships etc.

Have you ever wondered what your dream career might look like?
Maybe you'll be developing life-changing medicines, or exploring jungles in search of new species.

Many believe that if you have a clear vision of your future, you will be more focused on achieving it. In this workshop, you'll get the chance to bring your career aspirations to life by creating your own Career Vision Board! All materials, including pencils, paper, and magazines, will be provided. However, you're more than welcome to bring your own visual materials.

We look forward to seeing you at the workshop!

Do you feel misunderstood by the older generation(s)? That’s a feeling shared by every new generation. But could it be that you’re also misunderstanding? Join us for a unique opportunity to connect across generations. Whether you feel misunderstood, curious, want to share your story or simply want to listen, this event brings together a panel of diverse ages to ask and answer the questions that matter.

Panel

• Roel Dijksma - Teacher of the Year 2016 (& on the shortlist for 2024)
• Sjef Moling - "Mr. AID"
• Jessica Duncan - Teacher of the Year 2017 (& on the shortlist for 2024)
• Michelle van Helvoort - youngest employee of SSC & former student
• And more...

POV: You want to enjoy student life, but you also want to make sure that your student loan doesn’t grow exponentially.
This workshop will help you take control of your money. In an interactive 1,5-hour session, you will make a financial plan, know what is important to you and organise your budget accordingly.

Workshop host ‘Mister Budget’ Oscar Verbeek (Budgetteermeneer in Dutch) will offer you practical tips that will increase your peace of mind—not only now but throughout the rest of your career. Oscar is an expert by experience; he learned a lot about personal finance during his studies and even wrote his thesis about the subject. He is more than happy to share his experience with you!

Work up a sweat during an indoor cycling class while listening to Ester Klein Hesselink's inspiring lecture on the power your breathing has on your well-being. In this lecture, you will learn how the way you breathe relates to the physiology of your body. We will also experience how posture, breath and your state of mind are interrelated. (sports clothing is recommended - you don't need sports rights for this class in cooperation with SWU Thymos)

Did your know... that SC de Bongerd offers a free sports programme during the Surf your Stress week? Scroll down and sign up. No sports rights needed.

TIP check out the Students Support Students site and join the (WhatsApp) community to stay connected and informed.

Come join us in watching The Perks of Being a Wallflower! The film follows Charlie, a socially awkward high school freshman as he navigates friendship, love, and trauma.

He bonds with a group of misfits, led by seniors Sam and Patrick, who introduce him to new experiences. As Charlie opens up, he faces unresolved grief and mental health struggles, leading to a journey of self-discovery.

After the movie, there will be space to discuss things that came up while watching. We will bring the snacks!

Join our daily mindfulness meditation. Recharge and restart with new focus and enthusiasm! The workshops will be led by qualified instructors of Spectrum (Student Platform & Chaplaincy). 

When you (feel you) are never good enough…

We live in a performance-driven society, so, striving for excellence is a good thing, right? Wrong! There's a crippling downside to this constant pursuit of perfection (and we know it). As tension rises, overthinking increases, efficiency decreases, and our self-worth becomes tied to the opinions of others. As a result, fear of failure becomes perfectionism's silent sibling.

So, how do we deal with this?
And how can we move from perfectionism to focus, personal growth, and motivation? Sign up and find out, after all, good is good enough!

TIP Student Training & Support organises a StudyLab session on Procrastination every Tuesday from 12:30 to 13:30h in Forum Library (room 366). No registration needed. Every week a different theme.

Feeling stressed because there never seem to be enough hours in your day?
Are you ready to take charge of your time and make a positive change?

Join us for a workshop on time management tailored just for you! We’ll explore what time management truly means—not just using your time more effectively, but also managing your focus, attention, and priorities. By learning to minimise distractions and reduce wasted time, you can truly make the most of your time available.

TIP: Bring along your calendar or your plans from the past week; they’ll be helpful for an interactive exercise we have planned. If you don’t have them handy, just reflecting on your week will work too!

TIP check out the training calendar of Student Training & Support. For instance, the training Tackle Your Decision Anxiety might be helpful

Are you on the right track? Are you pursuing the dreams that truly matter to you?

The stress of making choices can feel overwhelming as you realise it’s up to you to carve out your own path. With newfound freedom comes a sense of isolation, and the realisation that you can no longer blame others - e.g. your parents - for your struggles.

A range of factors can heighten this stress: the expectations of those around you, a performance-driven culture, and the endless options available. Add in concerns about possible unemployment and the pressure to choose a - the right - career, and it’s no wonder many feel lost during this pivotal stage.

Join us to explore how to navigate these challenges and find clarity amidst the chaos.

Join us for a self-defence workshop that goes beyond physical techniques; expect a holistic approach to empowerment, resilience, and safety. Get ready to boost your confidence and tackle both physical and mental challenges head-on.

This hands-on workshop will blend theory and practice to increase your safety, build your confidence and improve your stress management skills. You will learn self-defence techniques while developing a mindset for both everyday challenges and physical threats.

Don’t let this chance for personal growth and empowerment pass you by. Join us and feel the difference!

Tim van Hattum - Climate Programme Leader at WUR- and behavioural psychologist Chantal van der Leest will inspire us to be optimistic about the future of our planet. They will challenge us to take action, however small the steps…

Our climate is changing. Day after day, scientists sound the alarm and news reports show images of devastating floods, raging wildfires and record-breaking heatwaves. Is it any wonder this leads to a growing sense of hopelessness? Denial, fear, and anxiety have become all too common, but despite the huge challenges, this symposium will offer a different perspective of hope, showing us that meaningful change is possible!

PROGRAMME

19:45 - Welcome

20:00 - 20:25h – Tim van Hattum – Seven routes to a more hopeful future for our planet

In this talk, Tim van Hattum will show us a hopeful perspective, exploring seven transformative pathways to a brighter future - from the energy transition to nature-based solutions. He will highlight key innovations that not only address the climate crisis, but also guide us in shifting our focus from wealth (welvaart) to well-being (welzijn).

This is about taking action; not only on a global, but also a personal level and finding real solutions for a sustainable future. Van Hattum acknowledges that the situation is serious, however, he will show us that solutions are already available.

20:30 - 20:55h - Chantal van der Leest – You too can make a difference

When you look around, people seem to be a bit hypocritical. Yes, we’re worried about the climate, yet we still fly and eat meat. It feels like we're all doomed, right?

Not if behavioural psychologist Chantal van der Leest has anything to say about it. Co-author of Klimaatpsychologie (Climate Psychology) and consultant to local governments on promoting climate action, she’ll explain how we get caught in a 'spiral of inaction'—and more importantly, how we can break free and achieve a ‘social tipping point’.

You too can make a difference by channelling your frustration and concern into positive action without being overbearing or pushy.

21:00 - 21:30 – Questions & wrap-up discussion

Join us and let's explore what we can do to contribute to a better future for our planet, ourselves and the generations to come.

TIP Spectrum organises a Weekly Meditation session every Monday & Thursday from 13:30-13:15h in the FORUM Library

Join our daily mindfulness meditation. Recharge and restart with new focus and enthusiasm! The workshops will be led by qualified instructors of Spectrum (Student Platform & Chaplaincy). 

Turn Plagiarism into Art ;)
As an academic you are trained to use sources with great care. The risk of plagiarism is always lurking. In this workshop, we will shamelessly appropriate the work of others by transforming academic texts into playful prose and poetry.

Just as sculptors chisel out a bust from a block of marble, blackout poets compose new work by crossing out redundant words in existing texts. This workshop gives you an introduction to the genre and you will create at least one blackout poem.

For whom is this workshop? Novice and experienced writers, playful writers, curious writers, lazy writers and writers who suffer from writer's block.

Take a break, relax, and unwind at our knitting workshop. Whether you’re a seasoned knitter or a complete beginner, we offer you a creative escape from the hustle of your day. Drop in anytime during the 2-hour session to knit, chat, or enjoy a moment of calm. It’s the perfect way to recharge during lunch, meet others, and explore how small creative activities can ease stress. Bring your own project or use the materials provided—we’ll help you get started! No commitment is required, just come as you are and stay as long as you’d like.

TIP The No WURries Student Support Group gathers every month. Check out the website and sign up or drop by.

Do you face obstacles in your studies or student life due to AD(H)D, ASS for example? Are you struggling to relate to your peers? Or is something else -temporary or chronic - preventing you from fully enjoying your student life?

If so, please feel free to join us and share what you feel. Feel empowered by recognition and learn from the experiences of others. You are not alone! Or to speak with our participants: "Finally a place where I can meet people I don't have to explain myself to" and “A neurospicy group that doesn’t drain my social battery”.

The world of nutrition and exercise can feel overwhelming. Between questions about what to eat, when to eat, “which supplements you should buy”, and how to find time to fit it all in, it’s easy to feel pressured to “do everything right.” With study, work, social life, and exercise all competing for your attention, how do you keep your balance?

In this workshop, Monique will cut through the noise. Together, we’ll explore the common myths and facts around exercise and nutrition. You'll leave with practical answers to your questions and learn how to make nutrition and exercise work for you—even on a busy student schedule.

TIP check out the training calendar of Student Training & Support. For instance, the training Tackle Your Decision Anxiety might be helpful

Do you struggle with decision-making? You might just be experiencing FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out).
Why is it so difficult to make choices? What drives our fear of making the wrong decision or missing out on something better?

In this workshop, you'll explore the psychological and biological reasons behind these struggles. You will gain a deeper understanding of FOMO, discover how our brains operate, and learn how we – humans - are wired. In addition, we'll share strategies for making decisions easier and provide practical tools for making confident choices.

Let's move from FOMO to JOMO (Joy Of Missing Out) and embrace the freedom that comes with it!

TIP- Anneke Valk gives this workshop every study period. Check out the calendar of Student Training & Support and/or register for the interest list.

Bloody Beautiful
Some days you feel amazing, thrilled, and happy to connect with other people. Then, two weeks later even the smallest event can cause tears or distress. These “highs and lows” are no fantasy. This is your body cycling through the different phases of your menstrual cycle. And guys, do read on if you are in the half of the population that doesn’t menstruate: you want to know this.

Superpowers & Pitfalls
Did you know that women cycle through different ‘seasons’ every month? They all have their superpowers and pitfalls. Some days provide you with tremendous energy and gracefulness. Other days your hormones will nudge you to reflect, ponder, and sort out which things you can let go of.

In an inspiring one-hour workshop, Anneke Valk explains the characteristics and signals of your cycle and how to trace and embrace them. After the talk, there is a one-hour walk-in session where you can ask her any question you want, one-on-one.

Join our daily mindfulness meditation. Recharge and restart with new focus and enthusiasm! The workshops will be led by qualified instructors of Spectrum (Student Platform & Chaplaincy).

How do you handle disagreements within your group, classroom, or with your teacher?
How do you react when sensitive topics come up? Do you avoid tension, or do you embrace it? Navigating different perspectives, emotions, and discomfort can be challenging. What does it take to address potential discomfort in a respectful and healthy way?

Let’s explore how (and when) we can approach such challenging conversations. Drawing on dialogue principles and non-violent communication, we’ll learn how to build connections, find common ground, agree to disagree, and engage in conversations with curiosity and open-mindedness.

Remember the last time stress crashed over you and swept away your calm?
Just like surfing, when a wave pulls you underwater, your ability to stay relaxed can make all the difference in staying safe. The key to finding that calm? It starts with your breath.

How you breathe directly affects how you feel. In this workshop, Niels uses both his experience as a surfer and his expertise as a psychologist to guide you through science-backed breathing techniques to help you manage stress and restore your sense of balance.

What you'll gain from this workshop:

• Powerful breathwork techniques to regulate your emotions
• A deeper sense of calm and control

Let go of expectations and connect to your authentic self

A large portion of our stress comes from the burden of trying to be something others expect us to be, overcaring about what others think about us and thereby not really living a life according to our own values. This is a perfect recipe for true unhappiness.

Based on my book, "A psychologist's guide to becoming truly unhappy in life" Link-in Dutch, join me in this workshop to unveil parts of you not always showing.

What do you get out of this workshop?

• Actionable ways to be powerfully vulnerable
• A space to share
• Deeper connection with yourself and others

TIP Martijn van der Spoel is also available as a Student Life Coach for students of WUR. For more info and appointments go to the webpage of the Student Life Coaches.

Thesis unravelled - step by step to success
This workshop is designed to guide you through every step of the thesis journey, which we all know can be very stressful.
We will cover three key areas: ‘Getting Started’, ‘What to Focus On’ and ‘Maintaining Momentum’.

We’ll start by sharing tried-and-tested organisational tips, drawing from the experience of previous students. Then, we will dive deeper into the emotional side of thesis writing, which will form the core of the session. Here, we’ll tackle common challenges like stress, motivation, maintaining structure, and the sense of isolation that can come with the process.

Popcultuur Wageningen & Surf your Stress organise a Special Edition Indiepub together. Performing artists are Sakaram and De Gang van Zaken Nothing better than listening to (live) music as a stress-reducing activity!

Sakaram - The Dutch-speaking alt-pop band Sakaram takes you on a musical journey, from Schiermonnikoog to the Sloterplas. Sakaram draws inspiration from artists such as Droom Dit, Wies, Wende, Elliot Smith and Radiohead, which makes Sakaram's style very broad: pop ballads are followed by riff-heavy alt rock songs, after which an acoustic love song is featured. With its jumping riffs, playful rhythm section and a healthy dose of humor, the band plays with the expectations of the audience.

De Gang Van Zaken, founded in 2022 in Nijmegen, is an energetic and innovative band known for their unique cocktail of sunny tunes and melancholic intermezzos, bringing an unique mix of indie funk with a touch of rock and blues. Their style, influenced by bands like The Black Keys, Arctic Monkeys and Red Hot Chili Peppers, is full of groovy rhythms, melodic guitars and a distinctive soulful voice. With their infectious enthusiasm, they know how to make the audience dance as well as philosophize.

Join our daily mindfulness meditation. Recharge and restart with new focus and enthusiasm! The workshops will be led by qualified instructors of Spectrum (Student Platform & Chaplaincy).

Need to relax or clear your head?
Come and join us on the lawn next to Orion. Team SWU Thymos will offer an array of games and ball sports. Come and play frisbee with your friends, have a skippy ball race or show off your hula hoop skills!

Femke has worked at the top of the international modelling world, collaborating with renowned publications such as Elle, Vogue, and Cosmopolitan, all while earning a Master’s degree in Philosophy and living with a rare neurological condition. It's an understatement to say that Femke faces unique challenges in life.

In this presentation, she explores how life’s unexpected challenges—whether personal struggles or academic stress—can derail even the best-laid plans. But unlike trains on a set track, we humans navigate a unique path shaped by our strengths and how we surf the seas of stress and uncertainty.

Colour is a dynamic source of radiant energy that ripples in waves. Are you still with us? Well, the important thing is that colour has a remarkable ability to evoke emotion and this is what we will experience in this workshop.

Blue, for example, can promote a sense of tranquillity, while purple evokes a soothing calmness that helps to relieve stress. In addition, yellow, as a complementary counterpart, can counteract stress and lift the mood. Artists are well aware of the interplay of colours. They seek balance, intensity and expression in their work.

But even if you haven't picked up a paintbrush in years (if ever), this workshop is for you. Whether you want to express your emotions, reveal your inner world or simply add a splash of colour, it will be both enriching and fun.

Monday, 25 November

Tuesday 26 November

Wednesday, 27 November

Thursday, 28 November

Friday, 29 November