by: Lindsay Cox
Parkland’s Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is partnering with Student Life to host an event that will hopefully help students take their minds off finals for a bit. Student Life attended a PTK meeting last week to discuss plans for Stress Less Week. It was a good opportunity for Student Life to get feedback from students about programming ideas; here are some of the events that they are hoping to do:
On Dec. 2, the first event will be Mindful Monday. Support dog Sterling will be available for cuddling, petting and playing from 1-3 p.m. If you haven’t had the honor to meet this sweet ball of fluffy, golden sunshine, make sure that you stop by to meet Sterling.
There will also be coffee and snacks in Student Life (U111) during the Mindful Monday event. PTK members and Student Life staff will be teaming up to make survival kits for students. The survival kits will contain bookmarks with study tips, pencils with motivational quotes, smiley face erasers, peppermint gum to help stimulate the senses and alertness, hand sanitizer to keep healthy and tissues for your issues. There will only be 150 survival kits; make sure you get to U111 early while supplies last!
On Dec. 3, the Happy Trees Tuesday event will take place. Tuesday will be a relaxing day of watching Bob Ross paint as he teaches you not only how to paint a masterpiece, but that you yourself are also a masterpiece. Student Life is providing mini canvases and painting supplies from 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. so that you can create and take home with you! There will be several different televisions in the cafeteria in the U-Wing showing different tutorials for you to follow. Everyone is welcome and no art skills are required. As Bob Ross says, “We don’t make mistakes, just happy accidents.”
The next event is Waffle Wednesday on Dec. 4. There will be a waffle bar from 10:30 a.m.– 12:30 p.m. where students can have their choice of a regular, wheat or gluten free waffles. There will be a buffet line of five toasters. While waiting for their waffle to get nice and toasty, faculty will be there to supply students with conversation.
Once students have their waffle, they can proceed on to the breakfast bar and pick from a variety of tasty toppings. Waffle Wednesday is a great opportunity for not only students, but also for faculty to interact with students. This is also the perfect time to ask any questions that you might have. Come help promote more student and faculty interaction and enjoy some free food!
Thoughtful Thursday will take place on Dec. 5 and will consist of adult coloring, aroma therapy and another chance to get comforted by Sterling the comfort dog. PTK is providing adult coloring books, colored pencils, markers and crayons for students to use from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Coloring is a good way to relieve stress and create something beautiful.
The final event, which is Finally Friday, will be on Dec. 6. Students can get some massage therapy at this relaxing event. Afterwards, enjoy a hot cocoa and coffee bar. A massage is the perfect way to end the week before finals. The hot cocoa bar will be available all day, but massages will only be available for a short time.
If students are unable to attend the events listed above, there is always time to by the Center for Academic Success in D120 to receive some study tips and help with test anxiety. The writing lab, also located in D120, has free supplies.
The main goal of Stress Less Week is to provide different opportunities for students to relax before finals, enjoy free food, hang out and have a good time before the end of the semester. Happy studying!
