Library hosts Stress Buster events

Thanks to a special event hosted by the library, students facing the extra stress that goes along with approaching exams can find relief.

McConnell Library’s semi-annual Stress Buster event started at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 26 to give students an outlet to handle the stress the comes with exam week.

For almost 12 years, the library has hosted the Stress Buster event each fall and spring semester to help students by providing food, music, crafts, button making and giveaways.

“When you walk through the library this time of year, you can feel the stress radiating through the air, so we wanted to do something relaxing and help students get in the right mindset for exams,” said Beth Johnson, head of Access Services and Student Engagement. “There’s a lot going on this time of year, so it’s a good way to let students get some breathing room before they have exams.”

One of the most popular events during the Stress Buster are the therapy dogs that visit the students.

“It helps a lot, especially people that have really difficult exams, such as nursing students,” sophomore Nadeen Atway said. “It helps get away from that stress for a little bit. It’s really relaxing. Therapy dogs are my favorite part of finals – the only thing I really like about finals.”

Flower frame crafts, button making and giveaways will be in the in the main reading room and food, music and coloring will be in the Bird Room throughout the day.

On April 27, grilled cheese sandwiches will be offered at 3 p.m. in the library. In addition, the Bird Room will be set up as a relaxation space throughout the week.

Schedule of Events

11 a.m. to noon

• Therapy dog in the front desk area
• Massage with Jan Harris, outside of circulation office

Noon-1 p.m.

• Massage with Brittany Kaseoru, outside of circulation office

1-2 p.m.

• Therapy dog in the front desk area
• Massage with Brittany Kaseoru, outside of the circulation office

2-3 p.m.

• Therapy dog in the front desk area
• Massage with Brittany Kaseoru, outside of the circulation office

3-4 p.m.

• Therapy dog in the front desk area
• Massage with Brittany Kaseoru, outside of the circulation office
• Henna with SJ Manzoor in the main reading room
• Yoga with Makenzi sponsored by the Student Recreation and Wellness from 3:15-3:45 p.m. in the library café

4-5 p.m.

• Therapy dog in the front desk area
• Massage with Beth Kelsey, outside of the circulation office

5-6 p.m.

• Mindfulness with Alan Forrest in the Harvey Center 
• Therapy dog in the front desk area
• Massage with Beth Kelsey, outside of the circulation office

6-7 p.m.

• Therapy dog in the front desk area
• Massage with Beth Kelsey, outside of the circulation office

7-8 p.m.

• Massage with Beth Kelsey, outside of the circulation office

8-10 p.m.

• Flower frame craft, button making, giveaways in the main reading room
• Food, music, coloring in the Bird Room