At EF Academy, staff and faculty really care about their students’ mental health. The institution created something called “Wellness Wednesday.” A day in the middle of the week to help students relax, enjoy, take a break, and remember to focus on themselves. Members from the staff at EF Academy create activities that allow students to disconnect from their daily routine.
Teachers and faculty at this school have noticed a big change in their students after “Wellness Wednesday” was implemented. The school understands that students, especially international students, need to call these buildings “home,” so they try their best to make it feel like it. Mental health is very important, and staff at EF Academy are well aware of it. For them, mental health and the well-being of their students is just as important as grades. That is why they use “Wellness Wednesday” as a day to help students reset for the rest of the week.
Boys and girls are separated into two dorm buildings, where they each have their four to six houseparents as well as staff members who help out. Houseparents plan activities for “Wellness Wednesday” each week; on Monday they let all of the students know what the activities for the following Wednesday will be.
“Students really enjoy the activities, they come to most of them to take a break” Ms. Amy Richardson, one of Cedar’s houseparents, mentioned. Houseparents understand the stress and pressure their students are under, so they try their best to make sure to remind them to take a break sometimes.
“I think the students that participate in wellness Wednesday are students that really enjoy themselves,” Richardson stated. It is known that when a person slows down from time to time, most things work out, and students at EF Academy are examples of that. Students who are relaxed have been noted to succeed more in their academics, which is why the institution really pushes for students to care about themselves and their mental health.
“The activities that they have on Wellness Wednesday help me relax and enjoy my time here. It is nice to have something fun to do in the dorms later at night with all of the girls and the houseparents,” Batel Monastirskiy said.
Students have participated in activities such as karaoke night, where they get to sing and dance their hearts out, and movie nights which help students feel at home.
Like Iris Ryu mentioned, “It makes me feel cozy, at home, nice and relaxed.”
Students also get to participate in door decoration, cookie decoration, and the fan favorite: waffle night. Richardson stated, “Waffles have been the most popular activity.”
Wellness Wednesdays help students feel more relaxed and less stressed. It helps with their mood, focus, and it even begins new friendships. Thanks to the activities and care implemented in the middle of the week, students feel better and do better.
In the coming weeks, many more activities will be hosted. Students will get to participate in yoga classes multiple times a week, Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday at 7:30 pm and 8:15 pm. Other activities will allow students to be active and remember to have fun. The school community has a lot to look forward to, from calm and peaceful events to exciting and energetic activities.
Students tend to be more present when they are enjoying what they are doing. Because of Wellness Wednesday, students are present, focused, enjoying, and more active. Taking care of your mental health should be the top priority, and EF Academy has made that very clear. Staff and faculty are extremely present in students’ lives, taking care of them and making sure EF Academy is their safe place, their home away from home.
