With the blessing of, and seed money from, Michael Webber, Associate Dean for Student Success and Engagement, the idea to hold the Library’s version of a De-Stress Fest became a reality. Tava Odom expertly ordered and delivered all of the swag we needed for the inaugural event.
Over a two-day period, Tuesday, December 3rd and Wednesday, December 4th from 10:30am to 1:30pm, faculty (Nicole Duncan-Kinard and Jalyn Warren), students and the Student Government Association (SGA), collaborated to put together an event geared towards giving students an opportunity to relax and take care of their mental well-being as they prepared for final exams. Approximately 145 attendees signed in (71 on Tuesday, 74 on Wednesday). Activities included coloring sheets with crayons or colored pencils, craft boxes or mini-reusable tote bags to stuff with candy, inspirational bracelets, key chains, fidget toys, a variety of teas supplied by the SGA, and a “Gratitude Board” for attendees to write and post whatever they were grateful for. Diane Brisbon, a member of the Counseling faculty, led a session on strategies to mitigate stress and anxiety and improve study skills. The students are still talking about the huge impact this session had on their mental wellbeing!
Truly, it took a village to pull this event off. We want to recognize the contributions of our students who gave of themselves to help put together this event on behalf of our entire student body. “Thank you!” to Dhebora, Martiano, Frank (Francis), Jules (Julieanne), Max, Abdul, Sarah, and Kathryn.