Schools provide puppies, massages to ease exam stress
With final exams approaching, some universities are offering their students stress relief measures such as puppies, acupuncture, and massages to ensure they don’t get too stressed out.
The University of North Carolina-Wilmington goes even further, offering massages and acupuncture at its "relaxation station."
The University of St. Thomas and the University of Louisville are both offering hot chocolate bars and puppy-petting sessions as part of their stress-busting events.
With final exams approaching, some universities are offering their students stress relief measures such as puppies, acupuncture, and massages to ensure they don’t get too stressed out.
The University of North Carolina-Wilmington, for example, is providing its students with a “relaxation station,” complete with a number of stress relieving activities like puzzles, coloring, massages, puppies, and even acupuncture.
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“Need to relieve some stress with finals quickly approaching?” asks UNCW Campus Recreation. “Check out the relaxation station on reading day...it’s a great study break.”
The post also lists “snacks” twice, as an extra reminder to students scrounging for free food during finals week.
Other schools have also jumped on the puppy bandwagon, including the University of St. Thomas, the University of Utah, and the University of Louisville.
The University of St. Thomas will supplement its two-day stress-busting service with puppies with a fully loaded hot chocolate bar, while the University of Utah will be serving students pancakes.
“Wellness and Practice will be hosting puppy therapy along with a hot chocolate bar with fun and delicious toppings! Please join us for this stress relieving event!” reads the UST event description.
The “Finals Fest” event at the University of Louisville includes a day filled with activities for stressed-out students.
Early in the morning, Louisville students can grab hot cocoa from the “Cocoa Cart,” and in the afternoon they can frolic with borrowed puppies in case they’re “missing [their] furry friends back home.”
Students then have an evening opportunity for food, massages, yoga, and bingo in the library.
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“How about some FREE food or a massage while you take a break from studying? Visit us in the lower-level of the library that evening. We will be serving breakfast from For Goodness Crepes and Cracker Barrel, playing BINGO, and most of all, relaxing!” boasts Finals Fest.
Finally, visitors to the women’s center at the University of Missouri Kansas City will have the opportunity to color, meditate, and attend a knitting workshop at a “stress buster” event.
Follow the author of this article on Twitter: @amber_athey
