University of Louisville Counseling Center

🚧 CAUTION 🚧

The first week of school can come with a few bumps in the road, literally and figuratively. Give yourself some grace. Starting something new takes time, and it's okay not to have everything figured out right away.

And our honorable mentions for the Back-to-School Checklist:

✅ Survive the parking deck
✅ Survive the light on Floyd Street

Call it character development.

We're excited to welcome students for another amazing year. Whether you're returning or moving in for the first time, we're glad you're here and ready to be part of our community.

Here's to new friendships, memorable experiences, and a successful semester. We can't wait to see what you'll accomplish!

Don’t wait until the first day of classes to set yourself up for success. Take a few minutes to explore the new UofL Student Portal and start the semester with confidence.

From class schedules and important notifications to campus resources and events, everything you need is in one place, so you can focus on reaching your goals from day one.

Visit portal.louisville.edu and get a head start on a successful semester.

Start the week organized and ready for success. The new UofL Student Portal puts your classes, calendar, notifications, and campus resources in one convenient place, helping you stay on track from day one. Visit portal.louisville.edu to get started.

In observance of Independence Day, the Counseling Center will be Closed on Friday July 3, 2026.

Your well-being remains important to us. If you need support while we are closed, the after-hours support line is available. Please call 502-852-6585 and select option 2 to speak with a mental health professional.

For life threatening emergencies, which includes thoughts of harming yourself or others, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

We wish everyone a safe and healthy break.

The Counseling Center will be closed on Friday, June 19th in observance of Juneteenth. Services will resume on Monday, June 22nd.

For Crisis Support outside of normal business hours call 502-852-6585 and choose Option 2 to speak with a Crisis Counselor right away.

In addition, the crisis line may be called toll-free directly when stateside at 1-855-553-1176

Summer’s quieter moments can give you space to reflect on what matters most. If you find yourself thinking more about the direction you want your life to take, you’re not alone. Having extra time can bring clarity, but it can also lead to big questions. This is a normal and important part of personal growth.

One way to explore what’s important to you is by identifying your core values.
Tools like the Values Card Sort activity can help you get started.
🔗 https://www.valuescardsort.com/sort

Visualize these areas of your life
🔗https://wheeloflife.noomii.com/

Spending more time with family over summer break can sometimes make you feel like a younger version of yourself.

As you build independence and figure out who you are, family dynamics might not always keep up with those changes, and that can feel tricky.

Coping Skills: Practice stress management techniques such as deep breathing, journaling, or grounding exercises to help regulate your emotional response during challenging interactions. Sometimes, connecting with supportive groups or engaging in shared activities can also provide comfort.

Identify Safe Topics: Focus conversations on neutral or positive subjects to reduce the likelihood of conflict. Sharing family stories, traditions, or positive memories can help maintain harmony and strengthen relationships.

Maintain Perspective: Family dynamics are complex, and not all issues can be resolved immediately. Accepting what you cannot change and showing patience with differing viewpoints can help reduce frustration. Approach interactions with family members in ways that maintain respect, using calm language, and listening actively can help preserve harmony, even when disagreements arise.

Create Personal Space: Establish routines or physical spaces where you can retreat and recharge, even if only for short periods. Finding quiet moments or participating in group activities that bring relief can support your well-being.

Adaptability and Flexibility: Approaching boundaries with flexibility and adaptability, considering cultural values and family dynamics. This can mean negotiating compromises, gradually introducing new ideas, or finding middle ground, rather than imposing strict limits. However, some boundaries, especially those related to safety or personal well-being may need to be firm and non-negotiable.

Plan for Transitions: If you know certain times (like holidays, breaks, returning to campus) are more stressful, prepare in advance with strategies or support systems. Seeking advice from trusted individuals or planning activities that foster togetherness can ease transitions.

Mental breaks don’t have to mean doing nothing, but to give your mind space to reset. After the pace of the semester, rest is essential for your mental health. It can boost your mood, energy, and focus. Pairing rest with both structured and unstructured activities helps you feel more refreshed and connected.

Try some of these this summer!

Structured Activities:
Attending Workshops
Volunteering with organizations
Scheduled exercise routines (fitness classes, team sports)

Unstructured Activities:
Spontaneous meetups with friends
Going for a walk or bike ride without a specific destination
Taking naps or lounging

Combining both types of activities provides balance, flexibility, and opportunities for connection and growth during the summer.

Summer vibes are real, but if your plans aren’t going as expected and you’re spending more time in bed or scrolling, you’re not alone.

Rest matters, but too little structure can leave you feeling unmotivated or disconnected. Building a simple routine can boost your mental health by adding balance and purpose to your day.

Start small:
• Set consistent sleep and wake times
• Plan one or two meaningful activities
• Get outside or move your body
• Stay connected with supportive people
• Make time for both structured and unstructured activities, plus rest

Whether you’re on campus or at home, routine isn’t about being rigid; it’s about finding a rhythm that helps you thrive.