Finals week approaches as various UA organizations set up events to help students cope throughout the week.
Finals Survival Week’s goals are to educate students on how to take care of themselves, teach them effective ways to study and provide stress reduction programming. The events kick off this afternoon on the UA Mall with a water park until 4 p.m. The water park includes four-story water slides that aim to release stress and provide some fun.
Before that, from noon to 2 p.m., there will be yoga, back rubs, therapy dogs, a photo booth, fresh fruit, ice cream and giveaways on the Mall.
“The goal isn’t necessarily to distract students; it’s to help students be successful,” said Lynn Zwaagstra, director of Campus Recreation. “Many of the Finals Survival Week programs consist of tutoring support, study support, expanded hours and locations for quiet study time and the like.”
Yoga and Spinning are two free fitness programs offered by Campus Recreation. According to Zwaagstra, these physical activities have proven to reduce stress and increase concentration.
Leslie Lopez, a psychology sophomore, said she copes with stress by engaging in physical activity between study periods.
On May 12, Campus Recreation is holding a 20-Minute Triathlon, in which students are encouraged to participate in a 150-yard swim, 3-mile bike ride and half-mile run.
The Free Late-Night Pancake Breakfast will be held on Thursday from 10 p.m. to midnight at Cactus Grill, Park Avenue Dining and Bear Down Kitchen.
“I think [the pancake breakfast] is a good mechanism for [students] to have something fun to do,” said Todd Millay, assistant director of Retail and Contract Management of the Arizona Student Unions. “I’m sure many of them are studying late at night, and they’d be able to take a break and enjoy a conversation with their friends and free food.”
Alex Lambert, an art history freshman, said watching Netflix and working out between study periods helps her deal with stress so she does not become drained.
“I do think the events are helpful, because it gives students an excuse to take a break from studying,” Lambert said.
As part of Finals Survival Week, there will be a game night with therapy dogs on Thursday on the UA Main Library’s second floor from 6-10 p.m.
“This one’s my favorite because I love dogs, and they calm you down,” said Jennifer Hiatt, Residence Life executive director. “The dogs just give you love, and that’s important while stressed because sometimes your friends and family are far away, but dogs are forever.”
Hiatt said they brought together a large group of people to brainstorm events that welcomed participation from all students.
She said the Free Late Night Pancake Breakfast has grown in the past few years, and that it is a great time to see faculty, staff and administrators serving students and wishing them good luck on their finals.
Zwaagstra added that there will also be several stands on the Mall run by sponsoring departments that will offer healthy snacks in order to help students eat healthier food.
Adrian Montano, a freshman studying pre-neuroscience and cognitive science, said he relieves stress through exercise and outdoor activities.
“Ice cream socials are my favorite,” Montano said, “because everyone loves ice cream, and it’s a chance for everyone to talk and not worry about school.”
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