Connect well

Connect well explores the workshop topics of connecting, loneliness and homesickness, assertiveness, and negotiating.

Online resources

Connecting

• Try creating your own pepeha to introduce yourself in te reo Māori.
• Atu-Mai resources for confidence, safety, and respectful relationships.
• Read advice on how to connect with friends and how a problem shared is a problem halved.
• Listen to Brené Brown’s TED talk on the power of vulnerability and the importance of human connection.
• Check out Rainbow and Inclusion events and activities on campus.
• Join a Club to meet students who have similar interests to you.
• Volunteer through Wellington Plus at the Careers and Employment service to meet new people.
• Check out these online games and activities to play with friends over Zoom if you’re unwell or in different parts of the country:
  • Scribbl.io Pictionary game
  • Cards
  • Scattergories
  • Teleparty

Loneliness and Homesickness

• Practice communicating your feelings with this worksheet.
• Watch Kio Stark discuss how talking to strangers can create unexpected connections.
• Active listening exercises help you practise listening to people and respond in ways that make them feel understood to improve your relationships with them.
• Get in touch with the university refugee-background students’ adviser  for refugee community groups both within and outside of the university.
• Listen to Voice of Aroha, Wellington Access Radio. Former refugees share local Wellington events, perspectives, and opinions.
• Watch a video about what homesickness is and tips from meaningful travel experts to feel better.
• Read about practical skills you can do to help you feel socially connected.

Assertiveness

• The Student Interest and Conflict Resolution team is a central point for students to receive advice and support about responding to threatening, inappropriate, and concerning behaviour.
• Read about how to be effectively assertive from Marcia Reynolds.
• Watch this video You Have the Right to Speak Up from the School of Life.
• Read about how to deal with friendship conflict and feel in control during difficult conversations.
• Recognise if you are experiencing bullying and tips to help.
• Read about implementing wise feedback for conflict resolution

Negotiating

• Try out this worksheet from the University of Otago that self-coaches you through issues using the GROW model.
• Try out the Are You Ok relationship quiz.
• Watch a video about the Art of Diplomacy in negotiation, friendships and relationships.
• Work through the Conflict Resolution Checklist and the Social Problem Solving Worksheet to help you negotiate social problems.
• Check out VUWSA’s flatting guide to learn more about your rights as a tenant and contacts around the city for advice and information.