Mental Health & Student Life

a Discovery Core Experience

BCORE 107 (Social Sciences)

About This Course

In this course we will learn mindfulness, meditation, and breathwork techniques and strategies that you can practice and use to navigate many of the stressors you are experiencing as a new college student with a little more grace, peace, and support. Our classroom will create safe, playful opportunities to try things out, communicate your ideas and experiences, and form connections that will stay with you throughout your time at UWB. In Fall 2023 we will enjoy the special treat of working alongside students and instructors in Braga, Portugal, so you would also get the chance to stretch your learning and connections across borders!

Why Should I Take This Course?

College can be a huge life transition as you prepare to make your way in the world. The thought of leaving home and being on your own can feel uncertain and intimidating. We will explore together how to identify and maneuver stress, stay focused, and maintain healthy habits—in body, mind, and spirit. In this class we will learn evidence-based practices in mindfulness and meditation and important practical steps needed to foster your wellbeing and rest, focus and performance, and thriving.

But How Will We Learn Together?

We are committed to building a first quarter classroom experience that welcomes, supports, and engages you as a budding scholar and a connected UWB student. Our classroom will be a fun, respectful, and collaborative environment to build your own arsenal of “stress and rest” strategies for adjusting to college, explore getting involved with campus activities, and develop your own path toward enhancing a positive college experience. This class is highly experiential, creative, and conversational and will provide a variety of opportunities to build relationships and contribute as a learning community. We will also include several class sessions and interactive opportunities to meet, work with, and learn alongside students in Braga, Portugal.

Some Activities May Include:

  • Meditation and breath work
  • Physical movement, (i.e., walking groups)
  • Games and applications
  • Reflective writing and discussion
  • Accessing community support and campus programs
  • Tea breaks and fun conversations

Dr. Sunita Iyer (she/her/hers)

School of Nursing & Health Studies

About Dr. Iyler

I have been a graduate and doctoral level educator since 2008 at Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA and am thrilled to have joined the team at UW Bothell in 2016. Teaching is my passion in the clinical, classroom, online, as well patient care arena. My background and primary professional interest is perinatal and pediatric health, having started in Boston, WA and working in the public health sector. My current clinical specialty is in mental and behavioral health in the perinatal and pediatric populations. I am the Clinical Director and founder of an integrative clinic in Kenmore, WA that serves as a teaching clinic for students in a variety of medical and healthcare training programs, as well as a site for an accredited 2-year residency program. I look forward to seeing you in class, face-to-face and online!

Education

  • Bastyr University Kenmore, WA, Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine; Certificate of Midwifery
  • University of Chicago Chicago, IL, BA with Honors, Anthropology and Ethnolinguistics

Contact:

Dr. Maureen West (She/Her/Hers)

School of Nursing & Health Studies

Education

  • University of Washington Seattle, WA, PhD, Nursing
  • The Catholic University of America Washington, DC, MS, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
  • University of Iowa Iowa City, IA, BS, Nursing

Contact: