Graduate Student Well-being Resources
When Biola thinks about your academic success, we also think about supporting you as a whole person. We want to help you cultivate your well-being as you steward the intellectual, spiritual, physical, emotional, relational and culturally diverse ways God created you to be.
Resources to support these aspects of your well-being are provided by departments across Biola. Your role in cultivating your well-being is to identify your own strengths and needs, then reach out and engage in what is most helpful for you.
Please note that some programs and services are limited to in-person support for students on Biola’s campus, while others also offer online options for students located outside of Southern California.
Your academic advisor can help you navigate the resources provided and advise on what may be most helpful for you.
Intellectual Well-being
Find support for your academic success, as well as next steps in your career journey.
Resources available on campus or online:
- Live chat or email a Librarian with questions about researching, checking out books or course reserves and more. You can also meet with a Research Librarian for specialized help with that tricky yet fascinating topic.
- Become a tutor or find a tutor for specific courses or subjects.
- Level up on your writing skills at the Rhetoric & Writing Center.
- Learn more about academic accommodations through disability student services at the Office of Student Accessibility.
Worried about finding work? Check out the Career Toolkit for tips on resume-writing and interview skills, Biola’s self-directed Canvas Job Search Course, Handshake for on and off-campus job postings, and the BiolaHub to expand your professional network.
Resources available on campus:
- Brush up on your academic English skills in the English Language Scholars program.
- Take advantage of Biola's robust university life via a lecture, performance or art installation.
Spiritual Well-being
Center your heart and mind on Christ as you engage your academic program.
Resources available on campus or online:
- Make an appointment for Pastoral Care to talk and pray with someone.
- Check out the Good Book Blog, Think Biblically podcasts, or Winsome Conviction resources as you seek to engage Christianly in today’s world.
Resources available on campus:
- Pause for prayer and reflection in one of our chapels or prayer spots around campus.
- New to La Mirada? Get plugged in to a local church.
- Check out Biola’s chapel schedule to discover weekly chapels for prayer, praise and worship and integrating culturally-relevant, biblical wisdom into daily life. Grad students are welcome!
- Discern God’s voice in your daily life with a Spiritual Director in monthly Spiritual Direction.
Physical Well-being
Steward your physical body with good sleep, exercise and nutrition habits for academic success and emotional health.
Resources available on campus or online:
- Reach out the Office of Student Accessibility for accommodations due to disability or extended or chronic illness.
Resources available on campus:
- Work out at the Fitness Center or join recreational and intramural activities.
- Learn more about healthy offerings from Bon Appetit’s on-campus eateries. Tight food budget? Check out the Biola Shares Food Pantry.
- Stop by the Health Center for complementary over-the-counter medicines from the Self-Help wall, or call the Health Center for an appointment with a medical practitioner to review physical concerns.
- Gain confidence for defending yourself in a R.A.D.S. class.
Emotional Well-being
Find support and build resilience as you encounter new challenges that come with life as a graduate student.
Resources available on campus or online:
- Overwhelmed by all that is on your plate? Schedule office hours with a trusted faculty or staff person or meet with an academic mentor to discuss your concerns and receive practical support.
- Consider "Five Reasons why Christians should go to Therapy" from the Dean of the Rosemead School of Psychology, Dr. Doug Daugherty. The Biola Counseling Center offers a number of helpful services:
- Practice mindfulness and other self-care strategies provided by the Biola Counseling Center (BCC).
- Connect with Financial Aid to demystify the financial aid process.
Resources available on campus:
- Learn and practice resiliency skills through the free Therapy Essentials workshop.
- Talk through current stressors or struggles at the BCC’s Drop-In Consultations (free) or through Group Therapy or Individual Therapy (fees apply).
- Find academic accommodations for various mental health or physical conditions at the Office of Student Accessibility.
Relational Well-being
Find tools and tips for fostering supportive, healthy relationships as you engage your graduate program.
Resources available on campus or online:
- Learn tips and skills for healthy relationships through the Center for Marriage and Relationships blogs, events or relationship counseling.
- Reach out to the Title IX Coordinator to discuss concerns related to sexual harrassment or assault.
Resources available on campus:
- Find other grad students with similar experiences as you through Affinity Groups, Veteran and Military Affiliated Students programs, or Global Student community groups, or community-building programs designed specifically through your graduate school.
Cultural Well-being
Enjoy the beauty of unity in diversity as you develop knowledge and skills through your grad program to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Resources available on campus or online:
- Attend the national SCORR Conference or learn from past sessions in our video archive.
Resources available on campus:
- Connect with and learn from those of your own cultural background with Affinity Groups.
- Connect with other Global Students in Community Groups.
- Engage in a long-held tradition of embodied worship with the Gospel Choir.
- Check out campus-wide upcoming events to grow in your understanding.