The end of term is here, and as students prepare for exams, they spend long hours at the library and on campus studying. Acadia’s library is ready to give students relaxation options during this time by hosting a variety of de-stress events from December 7to December 20.

For the next couple of weeks, students can take a short break from studying and stop by the colouring table, attend a Yoga session or even play video games in the library.

The library kicked-off all events by welcoming Therapy Paws of Canada for the fourth year in a row, and students got to de-stress by hanging out with puppy friends in the Paws Room.

The Paws Room continues to be a popular distraction, says Acadia’s Academic Librarian, Britanie Wentzell. Exam time is a stressful and sometimes students only have a couple of minutes to spare, but she says even a short break can truly make a difference.

“Students come in to the Paws Room for example, and some end up staying an hour or more, and they just pet the dogs, or talk about their dogs and then come out with huge smiles on their faces,” she says.  “I think it really is a good thing to help students de-stress, even just for that little time that they have.”

Wentzell says the library is always looking for ideas and new activities to incorporate at the end of each term. Last year, for the first time, the library set up a video game station and hosted an hour-long Harry Potter themed escape room. These events were highly popular and will be hosted this year as well.

“We put Mario Kart up on the TV and students can borrow the controllers and that has been insanely popular,” she says. “It’s nice because students don’t have a lot of time, so they sit down for a couple of minutes and have a little race against their friends and then they’re off to study.”

Wentzell adds these de-stress events are always helpful during exams, and students are welcome to make suggestions or comments on what works well and what events they’d like to see in the future.

The library is extending its hours of operation during exams as well, closing at 1:00 am on weekdays.

To check out all de-stressing activities, click here or stop by during a break!

 

Photo by Grant Lohnes