By: Ashley Laleau, College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Well-Being Leader

Well… the weight of classes has definitely hit me these past few weeks; even when I felt like I was working hard, it somehow still felt like I was barely keeping up. Balancing emotional stress with academic expectations isn’t easy, and I know a lot of you might be feeling that same tug-of-war between what’s happening at home or internally and what school demands of you. If that’s you, please know you’re not alone, and you’re always welcome to talk with me about anything you’re navigating – whether it’s academics or something much more personal.

At the same time, like many students, I’ve been also trying to figure out how to balance my finances – budgeting, cutting back where I can, and giving myself grace when things get tight. This month was a reminder that financial stress doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it affects your energy, your focus, your ability to show up in class, and even your motivation to do things you enjoy. I’ve been learning to prioritize needs over wants, planning ahead for bigger purchases (like the guitar I’m hoping to get by the end of the year), and becoming more mindful about where my money goes each week. It’s still a work in progress – and honestly, some days it feels like an entire extra class I did not sign up for – but I know many of us are trying to figure out these same things quietly. You’re not alone if you’re feeling that pressure too.

In the middle of all that heaviness, I’ve also been finding moments that reminded me how grounding simple joys can be. One of the highlights of my month was spending time singing and dancing with my best friend. It feels like I’ve been tapping back into creative outlets lately, leaning on the people in my life who inspire me – friends who sing, dance, play instruments, and remind me how important it is to just express rather than perfect. That energy has made me want to reconnect with my own creative side again; I’m actually hoping to get a guitar by the end of the year so I can start practicing and bring that part of myself back to life. It’s not about becoming an expert overnight but about carving out space for something that feels nourishing and true to who I am. Fashion is one of my favorite mediums, and I love to express that through my locs, my outfit, my accessories. Each piece is a way to communicate my mood, my culture, and even my resilience. My hair has become such a powerful part of that expression – an extension of my identity that I get to style and celebrate every day.

All of this together – academic stress, personal pressures, creative renewal, financial juggling – has made this month emotionally complicated but also strangely clarifying. It reminds me how important it is to have support, to have spaces where we can talk,

decompress, or simply not hold everything by ourselves. So if you’ve been struggling with your classes, with things going on at home, with finding creative outlets, with money, or with anything else that’s been weighing on you, please know my door is open. You don’t need to have the perfect words or a “big enough” problem. If you want someone to listen, help, or just sit with you in whatever you’re carrying, I’m here. Let’s continue taking care of ourselves and each other, especially as we step into the next month and holiday season.