UHS Monthly Student Newsletter

February 2026

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UHS February 2026 Calendar 🗓️

2/2: Trans & Gender Diverse Support Group starts - Learn more

2/2: Sexpert Education Clinic starts - Learn more

2/2: SHEP Weekly tabling starts, Mondays from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm on Sproul - Learn more

2/3: Pet Hugs at Memorial Glade, 12-1 pm - Learn more

2/3: Intro to the Practice of Mindfulness & Meditation starts (4-week session) - Learn more

2/4: Healing From Trauma (EMDR) Group starts - Learn more

2/4: Holistic Sleep Wellness Workshop - Learn more

2/6-13: Imposter Phenomenon Workshop - Learn more

2/9-13: Condom Week with SHEP - Learn more

2/12: Navigating Bipolar Disorder Group starts - Learn more

2/12: Nutrition Drop-in Counseling, 12:30-1:30 pm - Zoom link

2/13: Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Harm Reduction Group starts - Learn more

2/13: Nutrition Drop-in Counseling, 12:30-1:30 pm - Zoom link

2/16: UHS Closed (Presidents' Day) - View After-Hour Care

2/17: Understanding Self and Others Group starts - Learn more

2/18: Holistic Sleep Wellness Workshop - Learn more

2/19: Nutrition Drop-in Counseling, 12:30-1:30 pm - Zoom link

2/20: Nutrition Drop-in Counseling, 12:30-1:30 pm - Zoom link

2/23-3/1: Eating Disorders Awareness Week - UHS ED Support

2/26: Managing Emotions group starts (6-week session) - Learn more

2/26: Nutrition Drop-in Counseling, 12:30-1:30 pm - Zoom link

2/27: Nutrition Drop-in Counseling, 12:30-1:30 pm - Zoom link

2/27: Free Rapid HIV Antibody Testing - Learn more

Get Protected with the HPV Vaccine 💉

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a common virus that can cause six types of sexually transmitted cancers later in life. You can protect yourself by getting the HPV vaccine before age 26.

The HPV vaccine is available at UHS. Students with SHIP can schedule an appointment with the Immunization Clinic to receive the HPV vaccine. Students without SHIP can pay out of pocket for the costs and keep a receipt for possible reimbursement from their insurance, or they can contact their primary care doctor to discuss options for receiving the vaccine.

Micromobility Safety 🚲

Homemade Pizza 🍕

Celebrate National Pizza Day (2/9) by making a delicious homemade pizza! This recipe, created by the UHS Nutrition team, is student-friendly and allows you to select your choice of flatbread and toppings.

Sweet Potato Tacos 🌮

Sweet potatoes are loaded with vitamins and taste great, too. Not sure what to do with them? Our nutrition team has developed this delicious sweet potato taco recipe for UC Berkeley students. Give it a try!

New on Campus: Wellness Vending Machine!

A new wellness vending machine is now available on the 3rd floor of Eshmelan Hall. It provides items such as sexual health products, Plan B, pregnancy tests, menstrual supplies, OTC medicines (Tylenol, Claritin, Pepto-Bismol, etc.), and hygiene products. While these items are also available at the Tang Center Pharmacy, the vending machine provides easy access when the pharmacy is closed.

Sign Up for MyChart Texting & Download App!

Have you heard about the MyChart app? It’s a free and secure app for Apple and Android devices that helps you manage your health information, message your providers, view test results, schedule appointments, and more. To download, please visit the App Store or Google Play.

You can also opt in to receive text messages from MyChart for alerts such as appointments, test results, pharmacy updates, and care notices. Just log into your MyChart account, go to Settings > Communication Preferences > Manage Text Message Consent, and verify your phone number to receive these alerts.

Condom Week + Safer Sex Supplies ☔

Did you know? National Condom Week was established by students at Berkeley in 1978.

If you’re in need of condoms, don't forget that the UHS Pharmacy offers safer sex supplies at discounted prices for UC Berkeley students, regardless of insurance. Thanks to the Sexual Health Education Program (SHEP), there is a free condom dispenser on the second floor of UHS. There are also many other ways to obtain condoms for purchase or for free. Keep an eye out for the SHEP team, who will be on Sproul Plaza distributing free safer sex kits from February 9 to February 13!

Dealing with Procrastination ⏰

Procrastination can be frustrating. We often delay tasks due to perfectionism or feeling overwhelmed. In those moments, remind yourself that you can start imperfectly, ask for help, and it usually doesn't get any easier if we wait until the last minute! Here are some tips to help you move past procrastination and get started:

• Get organized: List all of your tasks and important due dates. Focus on priority tasks. 
• Break it down: Divide large assignments into smaller, more manageable tasks.
• Reward yourself: Take breaks and treat yourself in between tasks to unwind and recharge.

Remember that behavior change is hard. Be patient and kind to yourself as you try to make progress on your to-do list. For support, make a health coaching appointment. For more tips on study skills, visit our website.

Ditch the Diet Talk 🚫

Diet talk involves discussing food or exercise to achieve a specific body image. Comments about body size, shape, weight, or food can harm those who hear or receive them. It reinforces a culture that values weight over health, suggesting that some bodies are wrong, certain foods are shameful, and there’s only one accepted image. This can be especially harmful to those with disordered eating.

Ending up in conversations about diets or bodies can be uncomfortable, especially when trying to avoid them. Here are some ways to respond to and eliminate diet talk from your life:

• "Would you mind if we talked about something else?"
• "To be honest, I feel a bit uncomfortable when diets come up."
• "Diet talk isn't really my cup of tea. Let’s talk about x instead."
• “I’m uncomfortable with those comments and would appreciate it if you could keep those thoughts to yourself. Thank you for understanding."
• "It would really mean a lot to me if we could avoid any food or body shaming."
• "Thanks so much! I’d truly appreciate compliments that focus on other aspects rather than my body.”

If you feel uneasy addressing diet talk directly, that’s okay! You might opt to ignore it or shift the conversation. Not participating in diet talk is a positive step forward. If a conversation is too uncomfortable, you can also choose to remove yourself from the situation. Eliminating diet talk helps create an environment and culture that is more inclusive of all bodies.

Learn about our body-inclusive Nutrition Services.

Try it Out: Bilateral Drawing 🎨

Bilateral drawing is drawing simultaneously with both hands and is sometimes referred to as bilateral doodling or scribbling. It is an exercise in both self-soothing and warming up your whole brain. Grab a piece of paper and try it out!

Write it Out: Journal Prompt 📝

Although joy may seem small, experiencing joy in your daily life can be good for your body and mind. Take 2 to 5 minutes to write out your response to this prompt: Name 5 to 10 people, places, or things that bring you joy. Learn about the benefits of journaling.