Learning to Bounce

SEE OUR ADDITIONAL STUDY HALL HOURS FOR SPRING 2024 EXAMS

What is Learning to Bounce?

Learning to Bounce (LTB) is a group academic resilience program for undergraduate and graduate students whose mental health and/or ADHD symptoms interfere with school. This practical program is designed to help you develop the inner resources and support systems to survive and thrive at university. If you struggle with procrastination or perfectionism or find that school stress is affecting your health, this program may be for you. Learning to Bounce aims to provide you with a safe and supportive community where you can recognize that you are not alone in your struggles and that anxiety, perfectionism, and procrastination are not signs that you are broken — they are signs that you are human. 

Research on Learning to Bounce in 2022/23 found that many participants became more flexible in the face of setbacks, less avoidant and perfectionistic, more self-compassionate, and more accepting of difficult emotions. These changes culminated in an improved ability to approach schoolwork, persevere through challenges and manage mental health symptoms.  

What makes it unique:

Addressing emotional demands of academics 

You may have heard that skills like mindfulness, “finding balance” and self-compassion would be helpful in your life.  The challenge is that it can be really hard to apply these skills under the stress of a university semester.  There are many hidden emotional demands that can make academic tasks terrifying and often paralyzing. This program addresses these emotional demands and provides practical tools to manage them more effectively with support and guidance along the way when things get hard.  We’ve looked at the skills that have the biggest impact on bouncing back from adversity and have adapted them to tackling academic tasks like: 

• getting started on a project that feels overwhelming  

• reaching out for help  

• recovering from an academic setback or failure 

• maintaining health and motivation throughout a semester 

Weekly study hall and drop-in support  

It takes practice to shift entrenched habits and it can really help to have support when things get hard. There is an optional study hall each week, where you can get down to work in a supportive environment. Drop-in with Learning to Bounce facilitators is available during study hall to help when you get stuck or overwhelmed.  

Group Offerings: 

Undergraduate Mental Health Group

Tuesdays 2:30-3:50, February 6-March 26, 2024** 

This group aims to help you loosen the hold of procrastination and perfectionism and better manage academic hurdles and mental health fluctuations. We meet in-person* weekly for 80 minutes over six weeks. Study hall and drop-in are available throughout the semester and into exams.  

Undergraduate ADHD Group

Thursdays 1-2:20pm, February 1-March 28, 2024** 

Academia is often designed with a neurotypical brain in mind, creating a lack of fit for students whose brains operate differently. For students with ADHD, this mismatch can lead to feelings of shame, lack of motivation, procrastination, missed deadlines, anxiety and frustration. This group is designed to help you tap into your strengths, and bolster skills and habits to thrive in the academic environment. This in-person* group runs one hour per week for eight weeks. Study hall and drop-in are available throughout the semester and into exams.  

Graduate Student Group

Wednesdays 10:30am-12pm, February 7-March 27, 2024** 

Graduate work can be gruelling. There are often large swaths of unstructured time, self-directed work, and vague deadlines. It can be hard to maintain motivation and stay on track and it can be lonely. This group provides an opportunity to come together and learn tools to manage these unique challenges. We meet in-person* weekly for 90 minutes over six weeks. Graduate-specific study hall and drop-in runs throughout the semester.  

*Hybrid participation may be available. Please reach out to ltb@uoguelph.ca to discuss 

**There will be no groups the weeks of February 19-23 and March 11-15 

Open Study Hall & Drop-In *with Mint Tea and Treats* 

Wednesdays 1:30pm-3:30pm, January 17-April 17, JT Powell Room 1146 

Study hall is a great way to stay on top of schoolwork and get support when you need it.  Work independently or meet with us 1-to-1 for help with getting started on tasks you’ve been avoiding, breaking down intimidating projects, prioritizing work, and/or tackling perfectionism. Arrive anytime. No commitment or referral required! Email ltb@uoguelph.ca with any questions. 

Extended Study Hall Hours for Spring 2024 Exams

Wednesday, April 3: 1:30–3:30pm

Tuesday, April 9: 1–4pm

Wednesday, April 10: 10am–12pm

Wednesday, April 10: 1:30–4pm

Thursday, April 11: 1–4pm

Tuesday. April 16: 1–4pm

Wednesday, April 17: 1:30–4pm

Thursday, April 18: 1–4pm

How to Join:

If Learning to Bounce sounds like a good fit for you, please email ltb@uoguelph.ca or speak with your SAS advisor or Wellness counsellor. We are happy to answer questions and can provide available group dates and times.