Graduate and Professional Student Well-Being Resources
June 26, 2025
If you often find yourself asking, “What is sleep?” or “Those dishes can wait another day…” or “I should be doing something productive right now.” – you might be a graduate or professional student.
We know that graduate and professional students are pulled in a million directions, often with very little time left for themselves. Between working full-time jobs, taking a full load of courses, research, supporting our undergraduate students, supporting your family and more; graduate and professional students need focused well-being support. To help you not just survive, but to thrive, we have compiled a list of resources specifically designed to support the unique well-being needs of graduate and professional students. Personal well-being should be a priority, especially when you are feeling overwhelmed and spread too thin.
The services below are free or have minimal costs to graduate and professional students:
Recreational Sports Membership
Students who are enrolled in 4 or more credit hours, with at least one being in-person, will be assessed the Rec Sports fee. Students who are not assessed the Rec Sports fee are still eligible to purchase a membership at the student rate. Students enrolled at a regional campus or students enrolled at the Columbus campus are also eligible for memberships.
Students can purchase a spouse memberhisp for the student rate by visiting the RPAC Welcome Center in person. Graduate students with families can bring their immediate families in at no extra charge during family hours.
Questions about how Rec Sports fee is assessed? View an explanation of fees from the registrar or reach out to buckeyelink@osu.edu
Group Fitness
Physical activity has been proven to positively impact your mental health by improving sleep, reducing stress and anxiety and creating a sense of belonging. Rec Sports is here to provide physical activity options for graduate and professional students. Group Fitness offers 90+ classes each week during the school year, also holding classes during the summer. Classes are free to all Rec Sports members and open to all fitness levels. We offer a variety of class formats from yoga to cycle, to dance, Pilates, strength and more, there is something for everyone. You can sign up for classes one week in advance on our website or in the app.
Need a more personalized approach to start or enhance your movement journey? 1-on-1 personal training is a comprehensive service where trainers help and guide you through an individualized workout plan based on your personal health and movement goals. Our trainers work with clients who have full-time work, school, families and all around busy schedules!
If you don't have the time for 1-on-1 personal training, check out our Exercise Program Design. This program gives you a custom exercise program without meeting a trainer for routine sessions. The Exercise Program Design package is a one week exercise program tailored to your fitness goals and needs. You will be able to meet with one of our certified personal trainers for an InBody assessment, a program review and a follow-up session. You also receive an exercise program design detailing your weekly workouts including resistance training, cardio training and recovery training
InBody Testing (Body Composition)
Maybe you’re not quite ready for a personal trainer but you want to know more about your current overall health and body composition. We offer InBody Composition assessments. In just 45 seconds, InBody will reveal how your diet and exercise are affecting your health. You will receive a personalized report that informs you of your overall health including body fat percentage, amount of lean muscle tissue, visceral fat and more. Our trainers will take the time to discuss your results and provide helpful suggestions for your next steps.
The Office of Student Life's Monda Student Resource Center (MSRC) provides support for students' essential needs in a one-stop location. In the center, students will find an on-campus food pantry, free hygiene products, professional clothing and more. Staff from the Student Advocacy Center, Student Financial Aid, Student Life Disability Services and various community partners are available to meet with students both in-person and virtually. The MSRC is strategically located in the Younkin Success Center to leverage co-located support through Counseling and Consultation Service, Buckeye Careers and the Dennis Learning Center.
Part of the Monda Student Resource center, the Buckeye Food Alliance is Ohio State’s fully functioning, on-campus food pantry. Whether an unexpected expense has thrown off your budget, your GA funds do not cover enough or your family needs additional nutrition; the Buckeye Food Alliance is here to support you. You can place an order and schedule a time online to pickup your food during open hours.
Schedule virtual one-on-one Financial Coaching to take part in an empowering discussion about your finances. Financial Coaches are here to support you in making smart financial decisions with daily budgets while planning for your future.
Build self-care into your busy schedule by devoting time to yourself with the Student Wellness Center’s meditation resources. Between classes, full-time jobs, grading papers and spending time with family and friends, there is often little time left for us.
One-on-one Wellness Coaching provides professional and personal development to graduate and professional students. Wellness Coaching is a free service that provides opportunities for you to gain awareness regarding your capacity to create the life you want to live, both now and in the future. Wellness coaches take a positive approach to personal development, focusing on your strengths and using the Ten Dimensions of Wellness model as a framework for generating goals that are meaningful for you.