Sometimes, it's the quiet and contemplative moments in between class and co-curriculars where the most personal growth occurs. In this mindfulness miniseries, we explore moments of calm and introspection for our students.

As fall makes way for finals, F&M students seek calm and quiet. They don't have to look far. The Buchanan Park Outdoor Classroom provides a space just footsteps from campus to study, congregate with friends, or partake in personal reflection. 

On a crisp November afternoon, students could be spotted taking a midday meditation break at the space. A circular arrangement of benches and seats made from recycled wood, the outdoor classroom is the perfect area to break from a standard classroom setting. The park’s mature trees and F&M’s Winter Visual Arts Center provide a stunning backdrop. 

The Buchanan Park Outdoor Classroom provides a space just footsteps from campus to study, congregate with friends, or partake in personal reflection. (Photo by Deb Grove)

Named after 15th U.S. President James Buchanan (once a Lancaster resident), the 22-acre park is home to a rose garden, playground, dog park, tennis courts, veteran memorial and multi-use fields. When winter arrives, students and neighbors flock to the city park’s highest hill for sledding.

The Buchanan Park Outdoor Classroom is just one of many mindful initiatives at F&M. Field trips, yoga, meals, book clubs, movie nights and an ever-growing list of options encourage students to take a break from studies for a renewed sense of awareness. 

Mature trees and F&M’s Winter Visual Arts Center provide a stunning backdrop to the recently added outdoor classroom space. (Photo by Deb Grove)

A recent four-week workshop, “Mindful U,” invited students to learn about mindfulness and develop practices to manage stress and be more present in their daily lives. 

"Through Mindful U, I learned practical tools to notice my stress earlier and respond with curiosity instead of judgment,” said Gubat Abdullaev ’26, who is pursuing a double major in government and sociology and a minor in French.

“I’ve become more aware of how my body holds anxiety and how short grounding exercises, like breathing or body scans, can reset my focus. I also learned that mindfulness is a skill I can build over time, not something you’re either ‘good’ or ‘bad’ at," Abdullaev said. 

The College offers weekly yoga classes at the Phillips Museum of Art as another mindful initiative. (Photo by Deb Grove)

“Mindful U provided me a space to take a deep breath, center myself, and find a bit of slowness in my otherwise nonstop week. It provided me the opportunity to remind myself to be where my feet are,” said Savannah “Sammie” McCoy ’28.

Research shows that students who participate in workshops like Mindful U feel less stressed, sleep better, are more mindful, and feel more compassion for themselves and others, said  Joseph Pritchett, director of faith & meaning.

"Something that I've seen is students either don't make time — or don't recognize how little time they have in their life — for silence," Pritchett said.

Students enjoy mindful conversation at a monthly interfaith coffee hour, hosted by the Office of Faith and Meaning and Klehr Center for Jewish Life. (Photo by Deb Grove)