UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – As students adjust to remote learning, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), a unit of Penn State Student Affairs, is providing support for students who may feel stressed or anxious about the transition through the Life Hacks program.
Life Hacks sessions, which are now being offered remotely for all Penn State students, are free, drop-in gatherings offered for an hour twice daily, Monday through Friday. Staffed by CAPS therapists, each session starts with a brief presentation about transition-related stressors, positive coping strategies to reduce distress and tips to increase well-being. Each session then moves onto small-group discussions. Students can join live Zoom meetings. The full schedule and zoom link can be found on the Life Hacks webpage.
“We knew from the start of the University’s transition to remote learning that our services would also need to evolve in order to continue providing support for the Penn State community,” said Ben Locke, senior director of CAPS. “Life Hacks is a wonderful program that provides an outlet for students to come together, get support, and learn how to cope with these unprecedented times.”
CAPS continues to support students in a variety of ways during this remote-learning period and students are encouraged to contact CAPS at 814-863-0395 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. For crisis services when CAPS is closed, call the 24/7 Penn State Crisis line at 1-877-229-6400 or text “LIONS” to 741741.