Goals become clearer as UR students create vision boards
Campus Life
Spiders gather to cut, paste, and delineate their aspirations at the Well-Being Center's first Crafting Out session.
Ercilla was among those who recently attended the inaugural “Crafting Out” workshop, held at the Well-Being Center and sponsored by the University’s Counseling and Psychological Services. The event was open to all students.
“We have been noticing recently more interest in crafting among the students, and we thought creating an event like this could be a fun way for students to get to know CAPS clinicians and build community here on campus,” said Annie Messer, staff psychologist. “Sometimes it can feel less intimidating to try a new group when there is an activity to keep you busy while you are there.”
Messer and Kristina Jean-Baptiste, a pre-doctoral psychology intern, began the program with some reflective questions: When do you feel most yourself? What activities make you feel the most alive, focused, or at peace? What parts of yourself do you want to bring forward this year? Students contemplated the questions and shared their answers with each other.
The group soon jumped into cutting, pasting, and drawing on the blank foam boards, expressing what they wanted for the upcoming year, and talking easily with each other.
First-year student Imre Barna’s vision board focused on her plans for exploration and hobbies. Her board included pictures of photography, painting, UR and the City of Richmond, as well as words like 'roam' and 'possibility.'
A visual reminder
“As a first year coming from Tennessee, there is so much for me to explore and so many possibilities for me to take advantage of. I wanted the images on my board to remind me that I can both grow here as well as continue the things I know I already love,” Barna said.
At the program, she shared a “junk journal” where she doodles and keeps mementos of her days.
“I like that crafting gives me a space to release my creative energy in a low-pressure way. I feel like a lot of us grow up afraid of making mistakes, but when you are just making something for yourself, you can let go of that pressure to be perfect,” Barna said.
Grace Randolph, a senior journalism and global studies double major from Suffolk, Virginia, said: “I love the freedom of expression that crafting provides and being able to express your emotions, desires, and thoughts without any boundaries or rubric.”
Her vision board focused on change and adaptability. Next to a glossy purple star, she placed an affirmative message, 'Girl, get your shine on.'
“I loved the workshop! For the hour and change we were there, I forgot we were still on campus. The workshop made everything slow down and I was allowed to just focus on my vision board and releasing all I felt onto it. Also the space was so warm and welcoming, so I felt super at ease and safe,” said Randolph.
After you’ve put in all that reflection and care into your board, you now have a physical reminder of what you are working toward to center you throughout the year.”
Crafting in a creative space
“Crafting is a creative practice that can also help us hone mindfulness skills and teach us to appreciate the journey of creating rather than fixating on specific outcomes. It’s a fun way to challenge that inner critic or perfectionistic parts so many of us have,” Messer said.
Biology major Ercilla, who has a small crochet business and plans to go to medical school, transferred to UR in Fall 2024 from Northern Virginia Community College. She found the pizazz — a glittering blue piece of paper — and placed the word “Spiders” on top of it.
“This year, I’m all about the Spiders,” Ercilla said with a smile.
Ninety minutes passed quickly, and soon all the vision boards were ready to be shared. Then, the students headed off to their busy days, completed projects in tow. “The great thing about vision boards is, after you’ve put in all that reflection and care into your board, you now have a physical reminder of what you are working toward to center you throughout the year,” Messer said.