Wellness Workshop Series
The Wellness Workshop Series is the Faculty of Engineering's commitment to providing opportunities for the growth and development of our students. In recognizing the multifaceted challenges and demands that engineering students encounter throughout their academic journey, the series has been designed to focus on enhancing emotional intelligence.
The Wellness Workshop Series touches on a variety of topics such as; emotional well-being, leadership, cognitive resilience, communication, and conflict resolution, which are crucial skills for their personal, academic, and professional life. The workshop series is designed to support students to be able to navigate the challenges of their academic journey with resilience, to grow as capable and compassionate individuals.
Earn recognition for each workshop you attend, through Western’s Co-Curricular Record (WCCR); a tool that allows for students to gain recognition for, track and articulate their experiences outside of the classroom. These experiences help students gain transferable skills while being involved in the Western community, the London community and around the world.
Student Success in Engineering
Date: September 25, 2025
Time: 12:30-1:30 PM
Location: IN PERSON ACEB 1420
Presenter: Abby Al-Takriti & Sara Hanna
Bio(1): Abby Al-Takriti is a higher education professional, instructor, social media influencer, and Western Engineering’s Continuous Improvement, Student Learning & Awards Coordinator. Abby has completed her Masters in Professional Education, from Western University, with a focus on Educational Leadership. Described as precise and much needed, Abby’s work connects researched informed practices to provide higher education institutions with ongoing support that is realistic, universal and sustainable. She has also been a keynote speaker on several occasions where she presented a number of strategies and approaches for students to incorporate into their studying practices which support and promote mental well-being and have proven to increase the student learning outcome. Abby's hope is to continue to support and arm students with knowledge to empower them to navigate personal and professional resiliency through stress performance, targeted focusing, and value alignment.
Bio(2): Sara Hanna is a Registered Social Worker with the OCSWSSW. She has experience providing counselling services to young adults in an education setting, as well as in private practice. Sara is well versed in the wide spectrum of pressures and academic demands that post-secondary students face. Sara’s therapeutic approach is highly relational and strength-based, as she believes that connection is integral for healing. Yet, she also draws on CBT, Self-Compassion, solution-focused therapy, and internal family systems therapies, among others. Due to her interdisciplinary nature, she further integrates science by offering psychoeducation on the role of the brain.
Workshop abstract:
Acquiring a university education can be exciting, transformational, and inspirational! It can also be very demanding. Balancing academic demands, family and personal demands, and financial stressors, in addition to being away from home, family, and friends, are some of the new experiences that students share. Let's explore together the ample resources that you have access to on and off campus, as well as a few practices that will help you be successful in engineering!
Register HERE
Burnout Prevention and sustainable motivation: Thriving through the demands of Engineering
Date: October 16, 2025
Time: 12:30-1:30 PM
Location: ACEB 1410
Presenter: Sara Hanna & Abby Al-Takriti
Workshop abstract:
Workshop abstract: Engineering is intense and demanding. With constant assignments, exams, and deadlines, it’s easy to feel like the pressure never lets up. High expectations, both internal and external, can create chronic stress that, if left unchecked, may lead to burnout—affecting both academic performance and overall wellbeing. This workshop will help you recognize the early signs of burnout, understand the science behind sustainable motivation, and learn practical strategies to manage stress, set boundaries, and recharge. You’ll explore ways to stay engaged, focused, and energized throughout the term while prioritizing your mental health alongside your academic success. You’re not alone in this—support exists, and with the right tools, you can thrive, not just survive, through the demands of engineering.
Register HERE
Finding Work-Life Balance by Designing Your Life
Date: November 25, 2025
Time: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Location: IN PERSON ACEB 1415
Presenters: Sara Hanna (Student Wellness Counsellor) and Vince Reis (Career Services Officer, Student Specialist)
Workshop Abstract: Join Engineering Student Wellness and Western Engineering Career Services to explore ways to find better work-life balance throughout your university career. The tools explored throughout this workshop may be applied to your life while at Western University as well as after. During this workshop, you will complete various activities developed by Dave Evans and Bill Burnett as described in their New York Times bestselling text Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life. Upon completion of this workshop, you will take away one or more adjustments that you will have developed during the workshop to apply to your life.
Register HERE
From Panic to Plan: Stress Strategies for Engineers
Date: November 27, 2025
Time: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Location: IN PERSON ACEB 1420
Presenters: Sara Hanna (Student Wellness Counsellor)
Workshop Abstract:This workshop is designed to help you learn some prevention and intervention strategies that you can implement during exams to manage stress and anxiety. The strategies that we are going to learn in this workshop are practical, and easily implementable!
Register HERE
