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I initially joined CogWell as a way to spend time with my friends on Monday nights. At the time, I did not know much about the organization, but several of my friends were involved and enjoyed it. As a psychology major, I also thought it would be a good opportunity for me to engage with topics that interested me outside the classroom. I expected to attend meetings, learn a few new skills, and spend time with people I already knew. What I found, however, became much more than

My name is Lucas; I’m a rising senior at Penn studying biology on a Pre-med track, and I have been a member of CogWell since I arrived on campus three years ago. My introduction to CogWell came from my older sister, Emily, who was an involved member for her entire undergraduate career. In all honesty, I wasn’t the most enthusiastic member to start, and only continued coming to appease my sister until we started to dive into the club’s mission and programming. First, I quickly

Active listening is something that I have experienced lately while in conversation with one of my friends who will be attending a new university next semester. Having played softball for as long as she has been a student, the whole experience of changing schools brings along a lot of emotions, especially since softball played such an important part in her life. When communicating, I focused not on the ways to react but on the facts of what she told me. To help her feel

I practiced active listening with my personal friend who was stressed after her long work day. Honestly, it was way harder than I thought it would be. Usually when someone’s complaining, my brain immediately goes into fix-it mode. I want to jump in with advice or say, "Oh yeah, I get it, last week I had to deal with..." But this time I literally had to force myself to just not say anything and just listen. Every time I wanted to interrupt, I just nodded instead. It felt kind

My favorite memory at CogWell this year was our last meeting, where we got to do a step-by-step painting class! It was really out of my comfort zone, but it was so much fun to try something new and just have that experience with all of the new friends that I have made. We were laughing and talking about how some people were so naturally good at it, and others were struggling, but it was just meant to be fun! This experience was meaningful to me because I got to see a differen

One of my favorite memories from my CogWell chapter is our end-of-year painting event. Every year, it is something I look forward to because it allows everyone to relax, be creative, and spend quality time together before the year comes to an end. Even though the activity itself is simple sometimes, it has become one of the most meaningful traditions in our chapter because of the atmosphere it creates. Instead of focusing on schoolwork or the stress of daily responsibilities,

Prioritizing my own mental health is something I try to practice every day. I have learned that I cannot effectively support others unless I am also taking care of myself. One of the main ways I prioritize my mental health is by making time for exercise and treating it as an important part of my daily routine. I also try to recognize what I need to do to recharge, whether that means eating a healthy meal, watching television, reading a book, completing work so that I feel les

I have found that to be able to support others, I must start by prioritizing myself. I know that I am best able to support others and be fully present in my active listening to others when I am in the proper headspace to do so, which requires that I am taking care of my needs, both physically and mentally. Maintaining this balance is incredibly important, and I make my own health a priority by ensuring I am feeling good before I enter into a situation where I n

As a student leader in my CogWell chapter, there have been so many ways in which I have benefitted. As a Division I student-athlete, and the current president of our chapter, I have discovered that being a leader means providing a space where everyone feels comfortable being their true self, seeking help, and helping others. One of the main ways in which CogWell has made me stronger is the development of my communication and active listening skills. Prior to becoming a member

Being a student leader in my CogWell chapter has helped me grow professionally in ways that I know will benefit me in my future career. As a Criminal Justice major and Psychology minor, I have learned the importance of leadership, communication, and teamwork. Through helping plan events, working with other members, and taking on responsibilities within the chapter, I have gained experience coordinating with different people and managing tasks effectively. One of the

When someone comes to me for support or guidance, I feel happy that they trust me enough to ask for help. It shows that they believe I will listen without judging them and try to understand what they are going through. Even if I don't have all the answers, I know that being patient and listening carefully can make a positive difference. Supporting others also reminds me of the importance of kindness, patience, and respect in every interaction. The ILEAP skills have prepared

When someone comes to me for support, I feel truly honored. I know how difficult it can be to ask for help or confide in someone, so knowing that a person feels safe and comfortable with me makes me feel like I am doing something right to care for the people around me. The ILEAP skills have helped me tremendously in these situations, especially in workplace settings. Sometimes it can be difficult for me to separate my own emotions from a conversation, so having this framework

I usually am honored at first when someone comes to me for support. It means a lot to me that I have established and created a trusting relationship with the friends or loved ones who are in a time of need, and that they feel comfortable enough to approach me vulnerably. However, I sometimes get overwhelmed, whether because I am also dealing with a difficult situation, or because I do not know how to respond to their troubles. The ILEAP skills have been incredibly hel

Being the person someone turns to for support or guidance makes me feel both appreciated and responsible. When someone comes to me with a problem, it shows me that they value my opinion and trust me enough to be vulnerable. That makes me feel closer to them and strengthens our relationship. At the same time, it can be intimidating because I want to give helpful advice, and there is always the worry that things may not work out the way either of us hopes. The ILEAP skills ha

I joined CogWell after seeing it at the career fair on campus. I was interested in the activity they were doing, and I also wanted to be part of a club and community where I could meet new people and become more involved on campus. Since mental health and self-care are important to me, CogWell stood out because it focused on active listening and creating a supportive environment. Throughout the semester, CogWell gave me exactly what I was looking for. We met once a we

My name is Ava, and I am a junior at Villanova University studying Communications with a minor in Psychology. I am also a member of the Villanova softball team! Outside of academics and athletics, I have always enjoyed building relationship and helping people. I first became involved with CogWell through one of my older teammates, Brooklyn Ostrowski. She spoke so highly of the organization and encouraged me to attend a meeting. Going into my first meeting, I wasn’t entirely s

When a close friend opened up about family struggles, this student discovered the power of active listening. By giving her full attention, listening without interrupting, and responding with empathy instead of immediately offering solutions, she helped create a safe space where her friend felt heard, supported, and understood.

Student reflects on practicing active listening with her sister and at work, discovering how slowing down, asking thoughtful questions, and giving others full attention can strengthen relationships and reduce miscommunication. Her experience highlights how intentional listening helps people feel genuinely heard while building empathy in everyday conversations.