Whether it’s through concerts, recitals, or the occasional Warch piano player, Lawrence University’s Conservatory of Music students have been enriching our campus with music for 150 years. However, behind the scenes, these students have put in countless hours of practice and dedication. Amid performances, practices, lessons, academics and everything else Conservatory students must juggle in their everyday lives, many also experience self-doubt and immense pressure resulting from these many demands.
In hopes of alleviating some of this stress, the Wellness Center offers a weekly support group called Being Well at the Con. This group, composed entirely of Conservatory students, offers a safe space for those experiencing the unique challenges many Conservatory students face, according to Sara Curtis, a staff counselor at Lawrence University.
“Wellness Services observed the unique challenges [facing Conservatory students such as] performance[s], demands, turning a passion into a career, performance anxiety of students in the Conservatory, and wanted to meet the need,” Curtis said.
The group, which began during the 2023–24 academic year, meets weekly on Thursdays from 12:30–1:30 p.m. in Room 294 in the Music-Drama Center. Each meeting is counselor-led, although discussions are often guided by the needs and concerns brought up by students. Being Well at the Con seeks to help educate and offer Conservatory students resources about maintaining a healthy work-life balance, especially regarding their mental health. Additionally, as the group is made up entirely of other Conservatory students, all members have a chance to meet with others who may have also experienced similar situations, creating a supportive community.
“Mental health and support groups are helpful beyond individual therapy due to the ability of group members to feel supported by one another and a counselor in the same space,” Curtis said. “Fellow Conservatory students can offer advice from ‘someone who has been there.’”
As a member of the Conservatory, or just as a student in general, it may be easy to prioritize work and neglect self-care. However, Being Well at the Con offers a space and community to check in on mental health and overall well-being.
“We check in with each other [and] offer support to one another,” Curtis said. “[At Being Well at the Con,] students are provided a safe space, relationship and an opportunity to understand different perspectives [while] being heard, seen and supported.”
Being Well at the Con is just one of many support groups the Wellness Center offers. To take advantage of this service, students must sign a consent form for treatment and RSVP. Curtis urges any interested students to attend.
“Please do come! Mental health groups are portrayed in the media a certain way that is not reality-based; please decide for yourself,” Curtis said. “[Being Well at the Con] assists students with the balance of their own wellness and all that being a Conservatory student entails. Students have many demands pulling on them, and [this] group puts their wellness at the top of the priority list for an hour.”