Recognizing the importance of mental health for college students, I am excited to introduce the 'Wellness Pass.'

The 'Wellness Pass' gives you the opportunity to opt-out of one assignment worth 25 points during the semester, with no penalty. (The “Read + Reflect on Anything You Want” assignment is ineligible for the Wellness Pass — every other 25 point assignment is fair game!)

Instead of completing the assignment, you'll be asked to write a short paragraph on how you plan to utilize this break for self-care. This could be anything from hitting the gym, taking a quiet walk, practicing mindfulness meditation, catching up on sleep, cooking your favorite meal, spending quality time with loved ones, or any other self-care activity that resonates with you.

To use the 'Wellness Pass', simply download and fill out the form, save it as a PDF, and submit it in Blackboard in place of your chosen 25-point assignment. CLICK HERE to download the Wellness Pass Form (then, click "make a copy")

(It's important to remember that the 'Wellness Pass' can be used only once during the semester. If submitted more than once, the subsequent assignment(s) will be marked as zero.)

Remember, it's not just okay to take a break — it's crucial. I hope this initiative helps emphasize the vital role of self-care and mental well-being in your college life.

Take care, Prof Ingram

More blog and video content coming soon!