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Sometimes, it's the quiet and contemplative moments in between class and co-curriculars where the most personal growth occurs. In this mindfulness miniseries, we explore moments of calm and introspection for our students.

As fall makes way for finals, F&M students seek calm and quiet. They don't have to look far. The Buchanan Park Outdoor Classroom provides a space just footsteps from campus to study, congregate with friends, or partake in personal reflection. 

On a crisp November afternoon, students could be spotted taking a midday meditation break at the space. A circular arrangement of benches and seats made from recycled wood, the outdoor classroom is the perfect area to break from a standard classroom setting. The park鈥檚 mature trees and F&M鈥檚 Winter Visual Arts Center provide a stunning backdrop. 

The Buchanan Park Outdoor Classroom provides a space just footsteps from campus to study, congregate with friends, or partake in personal reflection. (Photo by Deb Grove)

Named after 15th U.S. President James Buchanan (once a Lancaster resident), the 22-acre park is home to a rose garden, playground, dog park, tennis courts, veteran memorial and multi-use fields. When winter arrives, students and neighbors flock to the city park鈥檚 highest hill for sledding.

The Buchanan Park Outdoor Classroom is just one of many mindful initiatives at F&M. Field trips, yoga, meals, book clubs, movie nights and an ever-growing list of options encourage students to take a break from studies for a renewed sense of awareness. 

Mature trees and F&M鈥檚 Winter Visual Arts Center provide a stunning backdrop to the recently added outdoor classroom space. (Photo by Deb Grove)

A recent four-week workshop, 鈥淢indful U,鈥� invited students to learn about mindfulness and develop practices to manage stress and be more present in their daily lives. 

"Through Mindful U, I learned practical tools to notice my stress earlier and respond with curiosity instead of judgment,鈥� said Gubat Abdullaev 鈥�26, who is pursuing a double major in government and sociology and a minor in French.

鈥淚鈥檝e become more aware of how my body holds anxiety and how short grounding exercises, like breathing or body scans, can reset my focus. I also learned that mindfulness is a skill I can build over time, not something you鈥檙e either 鈥榞ood鈥� or 鈥榖ad鈥� at," Abdullaev said. 

The College offers weekly yoga classes at the Phillips Museum of Art as another mindful initiative. (Photo by Deb Grove)

鈥淢indful U provided me a space to take a deep breath, center myself, and find a bit of slowness in my otherwise nonstop week. It provided me the opportunity to remind myself to be where my feet are,鈥� said Savannah 鈥淪ammie鈥� McCoy 鈥�28.

Research shows that students who participate in workshops like Mindful U feel less stressed, sleep better, are more mindful, and feel more compassion for themselves and others, said  Joseph Pritchett, director of faith & meaning.

"Something that I've seen is students either don't make time 鈥� or don't recognize how little time they have in their life 鈥� for silence," Pritchett said.

Students enjoy mindful conversation at a monthly interfaith coffee hour, hosted by the Office of Faith and Meaning and Klehr Center for Jewish Life. (Photo by Deb Grove)