Winter 2024 registration now open

Connections in this category focus on personal wellness and holistic development. Learn more about each below and follow the instructions under each Connection to register.

Aggie Tarot Circle

In a diversity of places and times, in settings both secular and spiritual, tarot and other forms of card reading have been practiced by those seeking understanding. This group takes a casual approach to the cards and invites UC Davis first-years of all identities and levels of experience with tarot to pull up a chair and pull a card as we connect, have fun, and explore together.

During our meetings we will hold space and time for de-stressing, journaling, getting into our tarot decks, and sharing our insights. Taking the cards as prompts for reflection, we'll ask questions such as "What does the Hermit represent to me, and how might that align with or compliment my values? What inspiration, if any, do I derive today from the folklore of tarot?" Though we will have at least one on-campus field trip, this Connection will remain mobility accessible. Students do not need to possess a tarot deck to participate in this Connection. Join us for discovery both inward and outward, as we consider the power of metaphor for personal meaning-making and collective understanding.

  • Day & Time: Mondays (10:00-10:50AM); 114 South Hall
  • Format: in-person, on-campus
  • Registration: This Connection is non-credit and open to all new students (first-year freshman, transfer, and international students). Registration for this Connection group is now CLOSED.


Aggie Thrive: Self Care Isn't Selfish

Coming to college can be hard, especially with so much changing around you! Are you finishing up your first quarter at UC Davis and feeling like there's room for improvement? This Connection will incorporate themes around personal development, including goal setting, time management, financial management, mental wellness and stress reduction, job searching, and physical well-being (nutrition/sleep/exercise).

So why is prioritizing your wellbeing so important during Winter quarter? Here are the most recent UC Davis student stats:

  • 58% experiencing loneliness
  • 68% experienced high stress in the past 12 months
  • only 61% sleeping an average of 7-9 hours/night

Each meeting will include a brief overview of that session's topic and have interactive group discussions. Come prepared to have fun, learn from one another, and set yourself up for reduced stress and greater success in your first quarter at UC Davis. Self-care isn't selfish!

  • Day & Time: Thursdays (3:10-4:00pm); 121 Olson Hall
  • Format: in-person, on-campus
  • Registration: This Connection is non-credit and open to all new students (first-year freshman, transfer, and international students). Registration for this Connection group is now CLOSED.


Knots & Thoughts Crochet and Knitting Circle

Self-care, wellness, and community through fiber arts! Join this Connection to share a space to relax, meet other students, and work on your crochet and knitting projects. Beginner to experienced knitters and crocheters welcome! Lessons will not be provided so participants need to come with some understanding of these crafts, or a willingness to teach themselves and each other (YouTube is very helpful!). We'll have a limited number of loaner kits available (knitting needles, crochet hooks, and yarn), but participants are encouraged to come with their own supplies (needles/hooks and yarn). Transfer, reentry, and freshmen students are all welcome!

  • Day & Time: Tuesdays (4:10-5:00PM); Transfer and Reentry Center, 1210 Dutton Hall
  • Format: in-person, on-campus
  • Registration: This Connection is non-credit and open to all new students (first-year freshman, transfer, and international students). Registration for this Connection group is now CLOSED.


Let’s Get Crafty (Part 2)

This Connection is a continuation from fall quarter and is an opportunity to progress into intermediate crafting. Throughout Winter quarter you will have the opportunity to choose your own adventure with self-guided projects. Based on participant interest, we have the possibility to cover sewing, painting, and/or crochet. Participants are also welcome to bring in their own craft from home to work on. While crafting, we will discuss different topics such as the importance of crafting as a form of self-care and self-expression, how to craft on a budget, and the connection between crafting and identity exploration. Additionally, participants will learn where the Craft Center is and how to access it during their time at UC Davis. This group is open to participants from fall quarter or those who already posses a beginning level crafting foundation.

  • Day & Time: Mondays (4:10-5:00pm); 114 South Hall
  • Format: in-person, on-campus
  • Registration: This Connection is non-credit and open to all new students (first-year freshman, transfer, and international students). Registration for this Connection group is now CLOSED.


Life Lessons with Uncle Iroh: An Avatar-Inspired Adventure with our Aggiebenders

Yip yip, Aggiebenders! Join us on an adventure through the Avatar universe as we explore truth, growth, relationships, purpose, and hope. As Aang and the rest of the Avatar team struggle to understand who they are, we too will dive into discovering values to live by and the identities we hold. How do you face your fears and turn them into motivation? How do you bend to truth so that it doesn’t bend you? How do you persevere through the storms of life? The world feels divided as the four nations in Avatar once were, but we have the power to make the best of our circumstances and live with purpose and with others. Building a more unified world starts with you.

  • Day & Time: Tuesdays (3:10-4:00pm); 121 Olson Hall
  • Format: in-person, on-campus
  • Registration: This Connection is non-credit and open to all new students (first-year freshman, transfer, and international students). Registration for this Connection group is now CLOSED.


Meditative Drawing: Zentangle for Beginners

Zentangle is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns, called "tangles." Each week we'll put pen to paper and learn to tangle beautiful patterns using fine tip pens, pencils, and blending tortillions to shade your work. The free materials kit includes take-home supplies so you can continue to practice at home.

This is a relaxing and completely beginner friendly group for those new to Zentangle. It's fun, easy to learn, there are no mistakes, and the results are unexpected and beautiful. No previous art or drawing experience necessary.

  • Day & Time: Mondays (11:00-11:50AM); 114 South Hall
  • Format: in-person, on-campus
  • Registration: This Connection is non-credit and open to all new students (first-year freshman, transfer, and international students. Registration for this Connection group is now CLOSED.


Writer's Guild: Bringing Your Inner Writer Out!

Love Creative Writing? Got an inner story you want to tell? Get blocked sometimes? Can't find the time to sit down and let your stories come out? Want to grow as a creative writer? Then Writer's Guild is for you! We meet weekly, we do some writing exercises, we discuss what we want to get out of writing, we shut up and write, and we support each other! You do not need to have any previous creative writing experience to participate in this FYAC, just enthusiasm for practicing creative writing and willingness to try!

  • Day & Time: Mondays (3:10-4:00PM); 121 Olson Hall
  • Format: in-person, on-campus
  • Registration: This Connection is non-credit and open to all new students (first-year freshman, transfer, and international students). Registration for this Connection group is now CLOSED.