RPS offers stress relievers for finals

Final exam week – five days filled with non-stop study, caffeine overdoses and stress. Yet, there is a way to help students pull through, and no, it does not involve popping Adderall.

Residential Programs and Services has put together a series of fun, stress-free activities including eating contests and movie nights to simply help students relax. Each residence hall on campus will host its own events.

“The efforts are localized and done at a hall level instead of a one-size-fits-all program,” said RPS executive director Pat Connor.

The first events kicked off Dec. 14 at the Teter and Briscoe quads. Starting at 11:59 p.m., both served pancake dinners.

Teter added some spice with raffles and a pancake-eating contest. It has hosted this event during finals week for about 10 years, Connor said. 

Wright Quad is also having its resident assistants pass out treats on each of their rounds. Wright is also offering a stress management and relief program.

RPS put together these events because they know how important final exams can be to students and the amount of pressure students can put on themselves.  

“In a lot of classes, the final determines my grade,” said sophomore Lauren Kelley. “It can be the difference between an A and a B, which matters.”

Eigenmann Hall is promoting study breaks through activities that change daily. One night there might be a movie and popcorn, while the next night might include coloring books and crayons, Connor said.

Study breaks are, in fact, an effective tool for some students’ concentration levels.
“I study for a couple of hours at a time and then watch TV,” Kelley said. “I don’t cram for 10 hours straight, because then I would get tired.”

Although sophomore Shruti Krishnan admits she would go to the events if they sounded fun, she said she thinks they would just aid in procrastinating more.

If students are constantly on the run and don’t have time to go to events and programs, there are still quick alternatives.

Throughout the week, Collins Living-Learning Center is providing free hot chocolate for those who stop by its cafe.

In addition to all of the individualized events, each of the seven dining services will offer goody bags to students who visit Monday night. The bags will include items such as water, an apple and even a stress toy.

“We are doing something for all students,” Connor said.