Virginia Tech® home

Family E-News: Health & Well-being - January 2021

As your student prepares for the start of the spring 2021 semester, know that there are many well-being resources offered virtually and in-person to help them succeed and live well.

A fresh start in the New Year can be a great time to sit down and think through finances with your student, and even future FAFSA planning. Take advantage of having your student at home by having conversations now. A break from school can create a great environment for an important check-in with them about financial wellness, budgeting, and other concerns.

As a general reminder, you can now file the FAFSA, if applicable to your student, for next academic year. Kevin Sutton, Assistant Director of Financial Wellness, suggests including your student in the process as opposed to filing it on their behalf. Including your student can help them transition to greater financial autonomy and become a more active participant in understanding more about the loans that are in their name.

Hokie Wellness offers several avenues for students to learn more financial wellness, including one-on-one coaching appointments.

Throughout the spring semester, Hokie Wellness will offer several workshops on budgeting, debt, loans, credit scores, and more. We encourage students and families to bookmark this page for future reference. Workshops will be open for sign-ups in late January.

Students seeking individual assistance to understand more about loan repayment and managing debt can schedule appointments by contacting SuttonKL@vt.edu.

As students return prepare for another semester, there are lots of ways to get involved with Rec Sports' offerings to increase physical, mental, and social well-being: 

Venture Out Trips, Challenge Course, and a brand new Bouldering Wall!

Venture Out hosts a variety of outdoor trips and clinics, a gear rental program, and a challenge course on campus.

New to this year - The Venture Out Center moved over break and we will be hosting a grand opening of our new bouldering wall January 28-29!

Free Week of Fitness (Virtual)

From Jan. 18-24, all virtual group exercise classes will be free to the Virginia Tech community! More information can be found here

Puzzles with Pods

Stay safe while you wait for your test results and play virtually with your pod.  Venture Out presents Puzzles with Pods. Sign up together and enjoy an hour of ice breakers, games, and problem solving.  Test how well you work together, laugh, and have a blast with this fully facilitated hour of fun!  Limit 12 people per session. You may end up meeting another pod in the process!  Three time slots are available.  6 p.m., 7 p.m., and 8 p.m. Sign up today!

Intramural Sports

A variety of team sports, singles/doubles activities, and esports will be offered throughout the semester. Registration for sports begins Jan. 18 and more information can be found here

Testing

  • The spring semester strategy includes voluntary and mandatory testing, along with adaptive approaches as needed. The university has also increased laboratory capacity for the spring semester.
  • Voluntary testing for the Greek life move-in period will begin Jan. 7.
  • Residential move-in testing will be conducted Jan. 16-24.
  • Random prevalence testing for students will begin Jan. 25 and continue through May 7.
  • The complete testing schedule for students will be finalized and released closer to the beginning of the semester.
  • Surveillance testing for high-contact employees will begin Jan. 5 and continue through May 7.
  • Voluntary testing for students, faculty, and staff will occur Jan. 5-8 and Jan. 11-15; and then daily (Monday through Friday) from Jan. 25 through May 7.
  • Pre-sign-up walk-in testing for students, faculty, and staff will occur on Sundays beginning Jan. 31 through May 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Schiffert Health Center testing will begin Jan. 4 and continue through May 14, for all symptomatic students and students who have been contact-traced or have a known exposure.
  • Testing out of quarantine for students will be handled through Schiffert.

The Cook Counseling Center recognizes that the holiday season may be a stressful time for many. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the holidays may not look the same as they have in the past.

Students and families are encouraged to view and explore Cook Counseling's Holiday Care Package, which provides tips for sleep, engaging in connection, and maintaining healthy habits. 

Questions about accessibility? Be sure to check out vt.edu/accessibility for up-to-date resources on campus accessibility. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) to discuss any questions about access. SSD provides:

  • Resources on campus accessibility​
  • Modifications to the living and learning environments​
  • Academic Coaching​
  • Academic assistance​
  • Financial Assistance​
  • Assistance with life transitions​
  • Assistance using service/ assistance animals on campus