Welcome to November. Midterms are over. Soon it will be Thanksgiving, and we get that ever-welcome (to some) end of Daylight Savings Time where, for at least one night, there is an extra hour. 

Autumn also brings with it rain and falling leaves, and, sometimes, snow. That extra hour doesn't last because we will all need to start accounting for the extra time it takes to wade through the detritus on streets, the wet and slippery sidewalks, and the cold. Be sure you leave room to take time for yourself and for your needs. 

Along with that, this month brings another Staff Spotlight, Peer-Mentoring updates and upcoming events, and a check-in with specialist Megan Davis who wants to dig a little deeper into the mental health checklist she mentioned in September. For this update she wants to talk about taking stock of where you are. 

Also, on November 1 (so by the time you are reading this), DRS is holding the first in-person Delta Alpha Pi (DAP) induction ceremony in three years. DAP is an American Honor Society which recognizes high-achieving college and university students with disabilities. Membership is open to both undergraduate and graduate students at colleges and universities with chartered chapters who meet certain criteria. Congratulations to all the inductees and we hope to see many more of you inducted in the future.

Have a continued safe semester and have a Happy Thanksgiving! 

Please remember to log in to the Student Portal to request accommodations, exams, and appointments with your disability specialist.

Alternative Testing Requests: Exam requests must be submitted at a minimum of three (3) business days before the exam (Seven [7] business days for finals). This excludes weekends and University observed holidays. Please note the Alternative Testing process is for in-person on paper exams. See: Alternative Testing Request Instructions for Students.

Nov. 2: National Stress Awareness Day

Nov. 6: Daylight Savings Time ends (set your clock back 1 hour!)

Nov. 14: World Diabetes Day

Nov. 16: World COPD Day

Thanksgiving Recess for students starts on November 20.
The DRS office will be closed November 24 - 27.

Nov. 26: National Family Health History Day

Nov. 30: National Personal Space Day

November is also the month for Alzheimer's, Epilepsy, Pancreatic and Lung Cancer Awareness.

Peer Mentor Panel: Six Mentors volunteered on October 4th and met with mentees to answer questions they had regarding their experiences on campus, and they discussed ideas for future events.
Fall Harvest Game Night on October 26th: Students came together to play games, make bracelets, and enjoyed some time away from their studies.

Upcoming events:
Center for Creativity Journal making, November 8th
1:00 – 2:00 PM, Text & conText Lab in Hillman Library, 3rd floor

Stop by and create your own unique journal. You can also take part in the Gratitude challenge if interested.

Peer Mentor Top Tip: The top 5 places to eat on/off campus are: Noodles & Co., Stacked, Oishi Bento, The Porch, and Roots. 

Please make sure, as the semester is going by quickly, that you continue to reach out to your mentor/mentee’s and encourage them as finals will be here before you know it!

Have any ideas for a speaker, craft or get together? Email Jen Thompson at jet119@pitt.edu

Don’t forget: One of the Mentors created a GroupMe to join to talk about planning events and meet ups with each other.

Eye to Eye is a national mentoring program that pairs college students who have learning disabilities/ADHD with middle school students who have learning disabilities, and uses an art-based curriculum to create a safe space to facilitate discussions about skills such as metacognition, self-advocacy, and to celebrate our unique strengths as people who learn differently. On campus, Eye to Eye is also a way for students and their allies to connect as a community and raise awareness about learning with a LD or ADHD by hosting events and fundraisers. If you would like to request additional information, please email eye2eyepitt@gmail.com or reach out directly to Meera Shamiyeh and Lydia Blazey. H2P!

Name and title:
Jenny Huff, LSW | Disability Specialist

How long have you worked in Disability Services (at Pitt and beyond):
I started my role as a Disability Specialist in May 2020, in the midst of the pandemic lockdown. It was quite an experience to meet and work with my new colleagues for the first time in a virtual capacity! I have been at Pitt since October 2018, where I started as the Collegiate Recovery Program Coordinator for Student Health Services.

What drew you to DRS?
I have been involved in supporting individuals with disabilities for many years, focusing primarily on integration into the local communities, building life skills, and providing 1:1 therapeutic supports for behavioral and mental health concerns. My decision to pursue working for DRS was influenced by my experience at Pitt as a student, my desire to work in higher education, and a drive to see individuals succeed who are navigating a variety of disabilities.

What’s your top tip for students requesting accommodations?
Reach out and ask questions! Many students don’t realize that what they are managing can be accommodated, or may not believe that they even have a disability. If you ever have questions, concerns, or just want more information, we love talking with students and helping them navigate the process.

How many pets do you have and what are their names? (This is most important!)
I have a dog named Kova and a black cat named Vader. Kova is a pit bull mix and is my sweet angel baby. Vader is a spunky young cat who enjoys to be pet on his own terms and secretly loves his big sister Kova, even if he pretends he does not.

by Megan Davis, Disability Specialist

The leaves have changed and the weather is brisk. Fall has flown by for DRS. If it's flown by for you too, there’s no time like the present to pause, breathe, and take stock of where you are. Consider where you started from this semester. How has the journey been? What have you accomplished and learned? What isn’t working? Our August newsletter challenged you to prioritize mental health by identifying the practices that are essential to your wellbeing. What were those self-care practices, and have you stayed committed to them?

There’s no right or wrong, only food for thought. If, after reflection, you want to make a change, consider these tips:

• Be specific about the change you want to make (how, what, when, and where?). Instead of saying you’ll study harder, for example, think about the actions this requires and why you value them. Review the tutoring schedule. Then make a commitment to tutoring in the Math Assistance Center at a specified time and day each week.

• Anticipate barriers and plan for them. If you’re concerned about no-showing for tutoring, for example, set an alarm, stay on campus instead of going back to your dorm, or tell friends in advance so they don’t invite you to make plans.

• When establishing a new habit, start small. You’ll find more success. It will be harder to find excuses when tired, distracted, or hurried. And linking a new habit to an established behavior can help. For example, When I finish an episode on Netflix, I do a 30-second plank. Or, When I sit down in class, I take two slow deep breaths.

• Tell someone whose opinion you value about your plan. Gentle accountability can help you keep your word. For example, tell your professor you’re going to attend their office hour next week.

• Don’t do it alone. Connecting with Pitt’s student resources can be energizing. Check in with your disability specialist, academic advisor, or make an appointment with Study Lab, Writing Center, Student Health Services or University Counseling Center.

• Have self-compassion. It’s human to make unhelpful choices occasionally. No need to criticize yourself. Making a small change can be the best way to make amends with yourself. Each day presents opportunities for a fresh start.

• Reward yourself. Associating new behaviors with positive feelings helps. Praise yourself each time to stick to your new habit or treat yourself upon meeting a goal.

Works Cited:
   Berns-Zare, I. (2020, February 4). 6 powerful ways to build new habits. Psychology Today. Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/flourish-and-thrive/202002/6-powerful-ways-build-new-habits
   Godoy, M., & Douglis, S. (2021, December 28). Instead of New Year's resolutions, start and stick with 'Tiny habits'. NPR. Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://www.npr.org/2020/02/25/809256398/tiny-habits-are-the-key-to-behavioral-change
   Share your goals -- but be careful whom you tell. (2019, September 3). ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/09/190903084051.htm
   Parker-pope, T. (2020, February 18). How to build healthy habits. The New York Times. Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/18/well/mind/how-to-build-healthy-habits.html

That's all for this month!