Before the thrill of summer can commence, students must endure the most stressful week of the semester: finals week. Amid all the studying and preparation for dreaded exams, decompressing is of utmost importance. Here are some campus resources and at-home tricks to help destress during finals week.
Crafting reduces stress by focusing one’s mind and pacifying its distracted rhythm. UT San Antonio University College’s Craft Break Before Finals offers students the ability to destress. The organization will provide coloring pages and supplies to make Shrinky Dinks, friendship bracelets, keychains and origami. Students can find this event at the H-E-B Student Union in the Travis & Harris rooms on April 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Another opportunity for crafting is at the Well-being Series: Craft and Unwind hosted by the College of Liberal and Fine Arts. Students will be provided with supplies to make friendship bracelets and origami animals, along with puzzles, coloring materials and more. The event will be held on April 29 from 1-3 p.m. and will include free food and the opportunity to make new friends.
Physical activity
One of the best ways to minimize stress is to sweat it out. The Recreation Wellness Center offers many free workout classes to students, and anyone who needs revival after a long day of studying can attend one of the Wednesday evening yoga classes. Interested individuals can sign up for the classes through the UTSARecGO app.
Yoga can also be enjoyed at Black Swan Yoga, a donation-based studio. The donation structure allows attendees to pay for classes on their own terms while being able to enjoy a quality yoga session.
Library resources
Leading up to and during finals week, the John Peace Library offers crafting events and Finals De-stress Relaxation Stations — tables offering items like puzzles and coloring sheets. On May 6, the library will be hosting a snail mail event, where students can create postcards for their friends. This event will take place from 11 a.m.-1p.m. in Group Spot B.
De-stress at home
Those with a busy schedule — or anyone who prefers to destress alone — should set aside time for their hobbies amidst the constant studying. Students ought to ensure that they get enough sleep; this helps with information retention, and to procrastinators, the only way to stop stressing about finals is to actually start studying.
The art of destressing is not complex, and while finals plague the minds of many, there is still time to maintain a healthy study-to-relaxation ratio.
