Welcome to Redbirds Keep Thriving, the easiest way to keep track of what is happening with well-being at Illinois State. Whether you are on campus, off-campus, or across the world, you will be able to find events and access virtual programs and services. Redbirds Keep Thriving has been designed for students and faculty/staff to find resources to help them manage their personal wellness and stay connected to the campus community, no matter their location.
Expand any of the dimensions of wellness below to find out more information and learn how you can improve your wellness in that area.
Redbirds Keep Thriving is a partnership through the four departments that comprise the Health and Wellness Community of Practice: Campus Recreation, Health Promotion and Wellness, Student Counseling Services, and Student Health Services. Click the buttons below to see some of the services and programs offered by these departments.
Virtual Workout Track Your Wellness Mental Health Resources Schedule Health Services Appointment
Redbirds Reach Out is a new initiative which lets students request virtual letters of support from other students. If you have been feeling down, lonely, overwhelmed, worried about a relationship or finding your place on campus, request a letter of support. Your request (minus any identifying information) will be sent to a volunteer student letter writer, who will write back to you with some encouragement or advice. Your identity, and the identity of the letter writer, will remain private. Only first names will be shared.
SOCIAL WELLNESS means being aware of, interacting with, and feeling connected to your community.
OPTIMAL SOCIAL WELLNESS is enhanced by establishing supportive social networks that include meaningful relationships, respect, and mutual trust in a context of conscious interdependence.
Explore the Redbird Life portal, where involvement at Illinois State begins. Join and manage registered student organizations and find out about campus events, all in one place.
Contact the Student Activities Office if you're struggling to find your place on campus. Learn more about how to personally navigate campus involvement based on your major, interests, and identities.
EMOTIONAL WELLNESS is a journey toward increased awareness, expression and acceptance of a wide range of thoughts and feelings in yourself and others.
OPTIMAL EMOTIONAL WELLNESS helps you achieve positive self-esteem, satisfying relationships, and resilience to meet life's challenges.
Redbirds Reach Out is a new initiative which lets students request virtual letters of support from other students. If you have been feeling down, lonely, overwhelmed, worried about a relationship or finding your place on campus, request a letter of support. Your request (minus any identifying information) will be sent to a volunteer student letter writer, who will write back to you with some encouragement or advice. Your identity, and the identity of the letter writer, will remain private. Only first names will be shared.
Download Illinois State's free WellTrack Boost app that provides evidence-based strategies for learning how to manage anxiety. You can use it anytime, anywhere. It is easy to use and effective. Specific tools include educational videos, relaxation exercises, and mood tracking tools.
Make an appointment with Student Counseling Services to set up an initial consultation.
Attend a Virtual Workshop, Discussion Group, or Mindfulness Class. Student Counseling Services will be offering virtual workshops and discussion groups beginning in September and through fall break. Check Redbird Life for more information.
Sign up for a 4-week free class to learn more about mindfulness. Mindfulness has amazing benefits for all areas of life such as our emotional health, ability to concentrate, and relationships.
Reach out to your professor or GA for help if you're struggling academically. The Visor Center can also help setup tutoring and connect you with additional resources on campus.
PHYSICAL WELLNESS involves respecting your body's own uniqueness and diversity, and engaging in practices that move you towards a higher level of health.
OPTIMAL PHYSICAL WELLNESS includes connecting with your physical self and avoiding harmful habits, while remaining focused on the balance of body-mind-spirit.
Watch this overview of Student Health Services and schedule an appointment to see a medical provider on campus.
Join virtual Group Fitness classes with Campus Recreation.
Schedule an appointment with a campus dietitian for one-on-one nutrition guidance:
Join the registered student organization, Sober Redbirds, which meets weekly on Wednesday and Friday evenings on campus. Check their page in Redbird Life for further information and details.
FINANCIAL WELLNESS is a state of healthy living through active pursuit of financial knowledge, planning, and goal setting.
OPTIMAL FINANCIAL WELLNESS is not about being wealthy; it consists of making sound financial decisions that allow you to live within your means and plan for your economic future.
Contact the Office of Financial Aid with your questions specific to financial aid.
Find out more information about this student response fund and the CARES Act application.
Gain access to food and other supplies through the School Street Food Pantry, an organization dedicated to providing local college and trade school students with food, supplies, and knowledge about other resources in the community.
View the status of your financial aid and online billing statement at My.IllinoisState.edu under the Finances tab.
Check out CashCourse, a free, online financial education resource designed specifically for college and university students. The budgeting tools help you manage your resources and identify areas for improvement.
View your total outstanding loan balance and review different payment plan options following graduation through the federal aid website.
INTELLECTUAL WELLNESS involves lifelong learning through your formal education and informal life experiences.
OPTIMAL INTELLECTUAL WELLNESS increases your openness to new ideas and your ability to maintain a sense of humor, creativity, and curiosity.
Explore the many majors and programs Illinos State offers. Additionally, you can learn about pre-professional pathways and interdisciplinary programs. You can also improve your study skills, time management, and more with the Julia N. Visor Academic Center
Visit Milner Library to search the vast catalog, look through their collections, and see what other services are available to our Redbird community.
VOCATIONAL WELLNESS allows us to express talents, passion, and personal values.
OPTIMAL VOCATIONAL WELLNESS is nurtured by matching your core values with interests, hobbies, employment, volunteer activities, and community service.
Search student positions, faculty/staff openings, graduate assistantships, and more on the Illinois State jobs site.
SPIRITUAL WELLNESS involves developing an inner connection and harmony between yourself and the wonder, majesty, and mystery of the universe.
OPTIMAL SPIRITUAL WELLNESS can be achieved when our core values and beliefs tie us to a sense of something larger than ourselves and empower us to act according to those beliefs.
The Campus Religious Center which serves as home to many of the University's religious organizations, including the United Campus Christian Foundation, New Covenant Community, Judson Baptist Fellowship, and the Lutheran Student Movement.
Illinois State University has an enduring commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence, including religious diversity. As part of this commitment, the University provides reasonable accommodations for students’ sincerely held religious beliefs or practices unless the University determines that such an accommodation would fundamentally alter the curriculum or academic program. It is recommended any student seeking religious accommodations request 30 days prior to the desired accommodation by filling out the religious accommodation form .
ENVIRONMENTAL WELLNESS includes living in harmony with the earth by understanding the impact of your interaction with nature and your personal environment, and taking action to protect the world around you.
OPTIMAL ENVIRONMENTAL WELLNESS includes regular opportunities to relax, reflect, and restore all of our senses and to take actions to protect our natural environment.
The Office of Sustainability is the campus leader on sustainability initiatives. They are dedicated to creating a culture of sustainability at ISU through interdisciplinary and inclusive collaboration with students, faculty, and staff.
Check the weekly schedule and register on the Campus Recreation website