Event ideas

Looking for ideas for your groups next event? Whether you are putting on your first event or you’ve organized events before and are just looking for new ideas, this page is meant to help you.

General Event tips:

  • Select a large room when possible, with lots of tables and chairs. It also helps if the room has windows and lets in lots of natural light.
  • Have information on mental health resources readily available right when students enter the room.
  • Try to arrive at least 10-15 mins before the start of your event and try to stay the same length after. Students are often more willing to be open before and after events when there are fewer people around.
  • For any discussions regarding mental wellness, it is good to clearly show emergency resources that students can access during the event if they feel the need. This can include services such as Navi or MySSP.
  • For discussions dealing with very sensitive topics such as self-hard or suicide, it is recommended that you have a trained mental health counsellor on site during your event if a student is in distress and requires immediate attention.

Steps to organize an event:

  • Define the topic you want to cover, and the intended outcome of the event
  • Decide on the format of the event. i.e. lecture style, interactive workshop, casual discussion etc
  • Decide on who may best conduct the workshop. Contact and schedule speakers or facilitators
  • Decide on a date for the event and time that will work for students
  • Decide on a location for the event – location that your department can book for you and that is easily accessible for students.
  • Ensure necessary AV is available; laptop, projector etc.
  • Arrange for refreshments if possible – greatly increases chance of attendance
  • Advertise the event
  • Lecture style events are very popular for all student groups on campus.
  • You can bring in staff from UofT Health and Wellness, SGS, other campus services or even other student groups to conduct workshops on dealing with common stressors.
  • Staff members and members of student groups are often willing to volunteer their time.
  • Student Services at UofT can provide workshop speakers on the topics of:
    • Time Management
    • Procrastination
    • Test and Exam Preparation
    • Test and Exam Anxiety
    • Reading and Note-Taking
    • Planning your Writing
    • Giving Presentations
    • Stress Management
  • Set up these workshops for your department via: https://studentlife.utoronto.ca/service/academic-success-workshop-by-request/
  • Other avenues for workshops, lectures, or interactive presentations:
    • Accessibility Services (for a variety of presentations, including explanatory, introductions to their services, to learning strategists on specific topics)
    • Peer Support (only available during fall and winter semesters)
  • Students like to have an outlet for their voices to be heard, and a support system for their challenges.
  • Roundtable discussions allow students see that they are not alone, and discuss potential solutions or plans of action for addressing their concerns.
  • You can structure these discussions to have breakout groups, for students to discuss a given topic. You can provide prompts specific to the theme of the event or focus on general mental health themes.
  • It is recommended that you have a facilitator at each table to keep the discussion going. This can be someone from your student group or someone from a university department such as H&W, with specific mental health training.
  • For digital student discussions, consider using an anonymous whiteboard for students to ask questions or offer suggestions. Examples of such a whiteboard/forum space include Padlet, Jamboard, Stormboard. Ensure students understand how to sign our or remain anonymous. Also explain what will be done with the document when students are finished using it.
  • One variation of the roundtable event is to invite faculty and staff from your department to hear student concerns first hand. These events can increase faculty awareness and understanding of student mental health to decrease stigma and open the discussion to improvements
  • However, you should check with students to make sure they would be comfortable speaking freely in front of faculty before inviting them.
  • It is also essential to clearly state that all discussions must remain polite and that anyone who uses aggressive or negative language will not be allowed to stay.
  • For digital events, the same anonymous whiteboard/forum can be used as a way for participants to ask questions, give answers, share comments (see note from “Roundtable Discussion Among Students” above).

Developing a community with other students and having opportunities to relax is important for student mental health; help to improve in isolation and loneliness. Departmental events are often large group drinking events, which are not suited to all students.

Plan a relaxing social night for your department. Some ideas for such an event include:

  • Board game night
  • Coffee house or talent show
  • Pottery painting or art class
  • Holiday themed crafts or potlucks
  • Holiday card swaps or end of academic year card swaps (can be postal or digital)
  • Yoga class
  • Meditation workshop
  • Beginner dance class
  • Group jogging
  • Nature walk