Author Archives: fajr_zahid@uml.edu

Growing Pains

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By: Nokomis Bramantecohen, College of Fine Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Well-Being Leader

Today, I am going to discuss the topic of growing pains. All people, regardless of age, height, or social status, can relate to this universal feeling in different ways. Growing pains are more than just physical discomfort; they stand for the difficulties that arise during any kind of growth, whether it be professional, emotional, or personal.

What are Growing Pains? 

According to Merriam Webster, America’s most trusted dictionary, growing pains can be defined as the following: 

  1. Pains in the legs of growing children that have no demonstrable relation to growth.
  2. The stresses and strains of attending a new project or development.

Physical Growing Pains

Beyond the two definitions listed above, there are other ways in which growing pains can occur. As children’s bodies grow and develop quickly, many of them experience leg aches. These temporary pains usually affect the thighs, calves, or behind the knees. They come and go frequently without any pattern, and can sometimes occur after intense exercise (running, jumping, or climbing), which can put extra strain on growing muscles. These pains, which usually start in the late afternoon or evening, can range from a slight ache, to a sharp, stabbing pain. 

While these aches are typically not dangerous, they serve as a reminder that growth has its own set of difficulties, even for young children. Though the exact cause of physical growing pains remains unclear, some theories point to the normal flexing and stretching of bones, ligaments, and muscles during a child’s growth.

Emotional and Mental Growing Pains

It can be frightening to learn new things about ourselves, whether they are positive or negative. The person we thought we once knew, all of a sudden begins to grow, both physically and mentally. In order to accommodate these changes, we often need to make some mental and emotional adjustments. These uncomfortable times can also mark important milestones, or bring about new and unfamiliar feelings.

Emotional and mental growing pains can be characterized by the following:

  • Intense emotions, such as extreme fear, worry, sadness, or anger
  • Decreased energy or motivation
  • Avoiding friends and family
  • Withdrawing from favorite activities
  • Frequent mood swings

Transition Phases in Life 

As we grow up and transition through life’s phases, it is important to prioritize self-care and to be kind to ourselves. Many of us experience moments in life when we say “yes” to too many things, or make more commitments than we can handle. Life gets busy, and it is common to get wrapped up in everything and forget to take care of yourself. However, just like we prioritize booking a doctor or dentist appointment, we need to keep in mind the significance of prioritizing our mental health.

Coping Strategies 

Whether you are dealing with physical growing pains, or emotional/mental growing pains, there are numerous solutions to help you cope with your struggles. While physical growing pains often have more concrete solutions compared to emotional growing pains, here are some strategies that can help you with both: 

  • Stretching! – Stretching helps soothe your body and your muscles. You should make sure to stretch before and after playing a sport or partaking in any physical activity. If you don’t want to engage in any rigorous activities, but still want to get active, yoga is a great, relaxing option. Not only does it help with your physical well-being, but it can also benefit your emotional and mental health.
  • Use Heat! – Whether you are using a heating pad, taking a warm shower/bath, or drinking something warm, heat can make your body feel more relaxed and even help alleviate pain. So, if you are feeling sore or upset, try stepping into a warm shower or making your favorite tea with honey!
  • Write Down your Feelings! – As humans, we have the ability to feel so many different emotions at once, which can sometimes get overwhelming. Writing down what we do, how we feel, and what can help is an incredible coping strategy. So, grab a journal, find a pen, and let out all of your thoughts, feelings, and emotions!
  • Be Creative! – We spend so much time and energy on school, work, chores, and more, so it’s important to free up time to practice things that get our creativity flowing! When we dedicate time to the things we like to do, it can make us happier in life! Some examples could include coloring, crocheting, knitting, scrapbooking, building, drawing, or painting.
  • Prioritize Self Care! – We are constantly on the move, going from one task to another. Every now and then, however, it is important to put ourselves first. Whether it’s dedicating an hour of the day to relaxing and reading a book, or turning off all electronic devices and having a rest day, aim to do one thing each day that nurtures your well-being. Some more examples could include taking a long shower, doing skincare, meditating, taking a long walk, petting a dog, watching a comfort show—the list goes on!

My office hours are 10am-noon on Mondays and Wednesdays! These well-being appointments can help you with any of the dimensions of wellness (physical, emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, financial, occupational and environmental). Well-Being Leaders can help students who are struggling with their growth and transitions through life! You can book an appointment with me here: https://www.uml.edu/wellbeing/well-being-leaders.aspx

Asking For Academic Help

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By: Madelyn Archambault, Francis College of Engineering Well-Being Leader

In my experience, asking for help can be terrifying. My freshman year, I started really struggling in my classes. Since it was the first time I had ever faced academic challenges, I had no idea what to do, and I felt like I was alone in my struggles. I wasn’t sure how to connect with tutors, and I thought if I went to office hours, the teachers would judge me more than they would help me. It took me a while to work up the confidence to seek guidance, but once I did, I started spending significantly less time struggling alone since I had others to help me fill in the gaps of my knowledge. 

The first step to learning how to ask for help was by reaching out to my peers. By doing so, I realized that others also struggled at times with school. We started Discord servers meant to help students in our classes, and soon, they became a place where we could comfortably ask each other questions. We started scheduling time to work together on homework, and it was so helpful to be able to talk through different problems with other students. 

Another way I connected to peers was through tutoring. Math was a particularly tricky subject for me, but I soon found that my classmates in other classes were all on different levels when it came to math. I started doing all of my homework in the math tutoring center, which became an environment that I really enjoyed working in. Some homework assignments I could breeze through by myself, but utilizing the math tutoring center was still helpful, as it gave me whiteboard space to visually lay out my thoughts. On other homework, I would get halfway through a problem and then get completely stuck. In these situations, the math tutoring center would give me the opportunity to ask other students who had already passed the class for help. They would work with me and recommend strategies that really benefited me on tests and quizzes. I also gained help from the Centers for Learning and Student Success (CLASS) tutors. They helped me with classes that didn’t have big tutoring rooms, and through them, I was able to find tutors who specialized in my major-specific classes. Overall, connecting with peers who had already experienced the classes I was taking was one of the best things I could have done to support my academic journey. 

It wasn’t until my sophomore year, however, that I started to go to office hours hosted by professors. It was extremely beneficial to have 1 on 1 time with professors to review homework problems, since it is easier for me to grasp concepts when they are privately explained to me, rather than in front of the entire class. From my experience with utilizing office hours, I have found that it works best to come prepared with questions that I want to ask the professor. Even if these questions do not end up getting addressed, I still find them to be a helpful reference point for what I want to learn in that session. 

Classes can be challenging, but seeking guidance can help relieve some of the burden and make you feel less alone. To connect with tutors and find support for classes, you can use this link: https://www.uml.edu/class/tutoring/tutor-schedule/. If you do find yourself struggling academically, I also highly recommend scheduling a meeting with a Well-Being Leader: https://www.uml.edu/wellbeing/well-being-leaders.aspx.

Social Wellness: Building Meaningful Connections

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By: Kuldeep Derola, Francis College of Engineering Well-being Leader

Social wellness, one of the eight key dimensions of wellness, is all about cultivating meaningful relationships and building a sense of belonging. It emphasizes the importance of having healthy, supportive connections with friends, family, and the broader community. These relationships not only provide emotional support, but they also contribute to overall well-being by reducing stress and improving mental health. Studies even suggest that people with strong social ties tend to live longer, healthier lives.

To enhance social wellness, it’s important to actively engage with those around us, whether it’s through social networks, community groups, or professional settings. Participating in activities such as volunteering, joining clubs, or simply spending quality time with loved ones can strengthen social bonds. These interactions can also help create a sense of community, prevent loneliness, and contribute to our personal growth.

Achieving social wellness requires effective communication and empathy. It’s about listening, understanding, and resolving conflicts in a way that nurtures trust and mutual respect. In a world where digital interactions dominate, prioritizing in-person connections is vital for building deeper, more authentic relationships.

Ultimately, by focusing on social wellness, we can lead more fulfilling lives, grounded in meaningful connections with those around us, while contributing to the collective well-being of our communities.

As a Well-being Leader, I can help students enhance their social wellness by:

  • Encouraging active participation in social networks and campus groups to promote engagement.
  • Offering resources and support to help students prioritize and enhance their social wellness.

I’m available at Southwick Hall-250B (Deans’ Office) every Monday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM to offer a safe space for you to express your challenges.

Citations:

  1. American Psychological Association. “The Importance of Social Support.” APA, 2021. (https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2021-61462-004) 
  2. World Health Organization. “Mental Health and Social Well-being: Integrating Care.” WHO, 2020. (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response)

Embracing Your Inner Superhero

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By: Shaili Patel, Kennedy College of Sciences Well-being Leader

Hi there! I’m Shaili Patel, one of your Well-Being Leaders here at UMass Lowell. As a senior Biology major with a Pre-Med concentration, I’ve spent a lot of time juggling classes, lab work, and enough coffee to fill a small pond. Along the way, I’ve also had the joy of being a Peer Tutor, Learning Assistant, Orientation Leader, Lab Assistant, and, of course, your go-to Well-Being Leader.

Now, let’s talk about something that’s close to many of our hearts: self-confidence and self-love.

These two topics can feel like mythical creatures, like unicorns, or, like those legendary 8-hour nights of sleep. But, just like any superhero story, these powers are hidden within all of us, waiting for the right moment (or a really good motivational playlist) to emerge.

Self-Confidence: The Superpower You Didn’t Know You Had

Self-confidence is that inner voice that tells you, “yes, you can totally nail that exam!” — even when you’re low-key panicking on the inside. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about knowing you’re capable. I get it, between assignments, labs, and trying to maintain a social life (or, you know, Netflix), it’s easy to doubt yourself.

But think about it this way: every small win counts. Did you make it to class on time today? Boom! That’s a win. Managed to answer a question in class, even if your voice cracked a little? Double boom! Being confident isn’t about never being afraid; it’s about showing up, cracks and all, and saying, “I got this.” And trust me, you do!

Self-Love: Treating Yourself Like Your Best Friend (Because You Are)

Here’s the thing: you’re stuck with yourself for life. So, it’s a good idea to treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you’d give to a friend. Self-love means not beating yourself up when things don’t go perfectly (looking at you, Organic Chemistry), and recognizing that taking a break is part of success, not a sign of failure.

You wouldn’t tell your best friend, “you’re terrible at this, and you’ll never be good enough,” so why say something like that to yourself? Newsflash: you’re pretty awesome. You’ve made it this far, haven’t you? That’s proof enough that you’ve got some serious resilience.

The Half-Full Glass of Life

As someone who loves to see the glass half full (preferably with iced coffee), I’m here to remind you that perspective is everything. College life can be tough, no doubt about it. But it’s also an adventure — a time to learn, grow, and sometimes laugh at your mistakes (like that time I signed up for an 8 AM class. Never again.)

So, let’s make a deal: the next time things get tough, take a breath, give yourself a mental high-five, and remember you’re a superhero in training. Self-confidence and self-love aren’t about having it all figured out; they’re about showing up, trying, and remembering that you’re more than enough — even on the days when you feel like a potato in sweatpants.

You’ve got this. Now go out there and be your amazing self, because the world (and UMass Lowell) needs you at your best — which, in case you forgot, is pretty darn incredible.

P.S. Don’t forget to hydrate. Superheroes drink lots of water. Or iced coffee. Both count.

Your friend,

Shaili