Learning to Take a Breath

by Apurva Dixit, student

My first experience with Open Circle was about 2 years ago when one of my friends encouraged me to sign up for the Becoming Yourself Series with her. I never could have imagined how this community would foster some of the most enriching experiences of my undergraduate student journey.

For me (and many others I’m sure), university was a period of transition, both personally, socially, and academically. Balancing assignments, assessments, meetings, jobs, making friends, all while learning to become independent easily becomes overwhelming. Fortunately, Open Circle helped me develop a very valuable skill – taking a breath. Even in the flurry of activity, I learned to recognize when I was getting too caught up in stress and step away for a moment. By setting some time aside, whether every day or every week, I learned to prioritize my own physical and mental health. The true surprise for me came a few weeks after joining Open Circle when I realized this shift in my mindset was actually improving my productivity, fostering meaningful relationships, and at the same time, giving me a more positive outlook on my life.

Now, as I move forward to the next phase of my learning journey in medical school, I know that Open Circle has given me the tools I need to continue my growth. I am very grateful to be a part of this group that truly supports and continually promotes the mental health and well-being of the student community.