Stress-busting Activities, Academic Help Ease Finals Crunch
Students take a break from studying and relax with therapy dogs at last year’s Stress Relief Day at the Campus Recreation Center.
12/01/2014
By Sheila Eppolito
It’s that time of year. Final exams, group projects, end-of-semester papers — it can seem overwhelming.
But there is good news: The university has your back.
From tutoring, to help with writing papers and essays, to stress-busting activities like free massages and therapy dogs, to special brain-power food in the dining halls, support is available on campus.
Check it out:
- Wednesday, Dec. 3 is “Write Night.” The Writing Center faculty and tutors will be on hand to provide feedback on your papers, offer editing and proofreading tips and serve up some free pizza. All disciplines and majors are welcome. Bring your notes, outlines, drafts, ideas or questions. O’Leary Library, 3rd Floor, 5 to 8 p.m.
- From Dec. 8 through 12, campus dining halls will be stocked with foods that help boost memory, increase energy and help with focus for studying. Fuel up.
- On Thursday, Dec. 11, the university will host its Stress Relief Day at the Campus Recreation Center. Held in cooperation with the Network of Health Educators, events include free 15-minute mini massages and Reiki massages, arts and crafts, blood pressure monitoring, fitness classes, snacks, visits with therapy dogs and more.
- Free, peer tutoring in all majors is available all semester in four campus locations through the Centers for Learning and Academic Support Services (CLASS). In addition, CLASS is also offering:
- Time-management and study planning that gives students so much stress. To this end, they distribute a guide calledwhich offers students a step-by-step, day-by-day timeline to assist them with organizing their study and leisure time in the weeks leading up to final exams.
- During final exam period, CLASS also promotes an initiative that has been very successful in previous fall semesters called where students are invited to drop by North and South Campus locations for a cup of hot chocolate with all the trimmings as well, marshmallows and candy canes.
- Student staff at CLASS also get a special treat in appreciation of the work the peer tutors, lab assistants, and front desk staff have provided during the semester. An annual component of this gathering is a gingerbread house building competition, where graham crackers, frosting and all kinds of candy are provided so students can work in teams to construct the most creative structures. The buildings are then displayed in the North Campus tutoring center in Southwick 321.
In addition, Jacqueline Keeves, mental health clinician in the university’s Wellness Center, offers these stress-busting suggestions:
- Snack smart! Skip the junk, and load up on walnuts, hummus and Greek yogurt.
- Don’t over caffeinate! Two cups of coffee is the max – water is better for you.
- Sleep! But try not to nap — it messes up your nighttime schedule.
- Turn off electronics at bedtime — their lights can interrupt sleep.