Everyone knows finals can be a stressful time for students. With group projects, looming deadlines and make-or-break final exams, it’s safe to say students have a lot going on, which is why taking time to decompress is so important.
The weeklong CU Anschutz Stress Fest encouraged students to take a few minutes to check in with themselves amidst a busy finals season. The event – sponsored by Student Senate, the Student Health Promotion Committee, Resilience & Wellness Council and Student Mental Health – promoted community wellbeing and included a yoga class, meditation session, creativity workshop and anti-stigma panel.
The popular Wellness Wednesday featured free food from Tocabe and Little Man Ice Cream as well as prizes and swag. Asked what inspired the event, third-year medical student Tosin Adebiyi said she wanted to highlight the many great resources already available on campus.
Holly Nelson, left, and Dora Safoh from the Office of Case Management greet students at their booth during Wellness Wednesday.
Booths featured different student services focused on mental health and mindfulness. Holly Nelson, from the CU Anschutz Office of Case Management, said her office is focused on “being a resource for all students so they feel at home here.” Dora Safoh said their office’s tagline is “when life happens, come to us.”
It’s important for students to take time to focus on things outside of academic work. A popular question is: what’s your favorite way to destress? Mariel Little, a second-year physical therapy student, said she loves to take long walks at Sloan’s Lake, while Zharkynai Satylganova, a first-year dental student, said she loves music and dancing.
Sansriti Narain, left, and Zharkynai Satylganova, both first-year dental students, enjoy the free food on Wellness Wednesday.
The stress-free fun continues next week with the CU Anschutz Anti All-Nighter on Wednesday, May 8, starting at 5 p.m. with the opportunity to De-stress @ Strauss, including pancakes for dinner, stress-relief activities and a silent disco.
With all these great, stress-free events, students will be zen in no time!
