Hampton University Observes 2025 Wellness Day
By: Brionna Gillis
Students create their own definition of self-care during Hampton University’s campus wide wellness day this year.
On the first Monday of October in the fall semester, Hampton University dedicates a day campus-wide to promote student relaxation and positive mental health practices. Wellness day was first implemented in 2021, by former HU President Dr. William R Havey. The day was created for students to practice self-care and prioritize their health and safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Wellness day is definitely important. Everybody has a lot going on in just a few weeks we’ve been at school and it feels like we don’t always have a chance to get a break. So, I think it’s cool to know that the school gives us at least one day every semester to be able to unplug and completely relax before midterms and homecoming,” said Amani Weather, a graduating senior and English Education major.
Classes are canceled for the day and different organizations have activities for students to prioritize their mental health and practice their self-care. For some students, wellness day gave them the opportunity to travel home while also establishing and furthering their career path.
“For wellness day, I went back home to New York for a conference and had the opportunity to visit my family. The conference was named black week and while attending I had the opportunity to connect with CEOs and executives,” said Jordyn Isaacs, a graduating senior journalism major.
Another students took their wellness day as an opportunity to get away from campus for a while and do things that they couldn’t fit in their schedule during the semester.
“On wellness day, I went for a walk on the nature trail as well as hit up a few stores to shop for homecoming,” said Malia Horton, a graduating senior psychology major.
While some students prepared for upcoming campus events, others spent their wellness day focused on their own personal goals.
“I spent the day at the beach, thinking about the direction that my life is headed and trying to figure it all out,” said Misha Jefferson, a graduating senior entrepreneurship major.
However students chose to spend their wellness day, it is clear that it was a much needed break for many.
