Photo: The BA Primary 1st year students during their Wellness session 15 December 2023, The BA ECEC 3rd year students during their Wellness 15 December 2023, The BA ECEC 2nd year students during their Wellness session 12 January 2024 and The BA ECEC 1st year students with Whiskey (the pet rabbit) at the Chaplaincy 12 January 2024.
The Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education, Faculty of Education, in collaboration with the Counselling Services Unit within the Health and Wellness Centre, organised four sessions for the BA ECEC and BA Primary students to share their views of their experiences at university. The idea for these sessions originated after stress and anxiety were observed in university students. Dr Elena Borg, from the Health and Wellness Centre, coordinated the sessions which were held between December 2023 and January 2024 in collaboration with Dr Josephine Deguara, who initiated the project, and Dr Josephine Milton, Head of Department. Dr Rosienne Camilleri from the Department of Early Childhood Education was also present for some of the sessions.
The primary goal for these sessions was to establish a healthy and supportive environment where students could find a safe space to be heard and feel valued, share their thoughts, as well as further their self-awareness, and communication skills. Dr Borg provided students with strategies to identify signs of stress and anxiety and offered group-oriented solutions. Moreover, the sessions offered valuable insights to academic members from the Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education on how to better support their students. The plan is to continue and develop the sessions throughout the academic year, tailoring them to the specific needs of the different student groups.
The sessions took place at Dar Manuel Magri, thanks to Fr Patrick Magro, who also introduced the available services and spaces offered at the Chaplaincy.