Kim LaPierre (right), speaks with Cole Miller, a religious studies student at Nipissing University. LaPierre is team lead of Canadore's Student Success Services. PHOTO BY CHRISTINE ROY
For Nipissing and Canadore students, the approach of Easter translates to one thing: end of term.
With that comes the rush of exams, final assignments and the pressures of studying sometimes partnered with work.
That’s when the stress busting kit comes in handy.
In order to assist their students, Nipissing and Canadore paired up and organized the Bust Your Stress event.
Each student gets a paper bag and the choice of placing five objects into it for their stress busting kit. Items such as teabags, small card games to play with friends, incense and even bubble wrap are available.
Lindsay Horner, a first-year early childhood education student at Canadore, usually handles stress by spending time with friends, listening to music or visiting Niijii, Canadore’s Mental Health and Wellness dog.
“I feel this can definitely benefit students, especially during this stressful period,” Horner said.
With exams looming, Horner is feeling her own trepidations about the upcoming weeks.
“The pressure of not being prepared, especially when I have test anxiety; so this is definitely an event that will help with that and help making the negative into a positive,” she said.
A booth promoting Good2Talk, a post-secondary student helpline, draws students in with stress tangles, an item that has a similar function to stress balls. A blue tangle of plastic gives students a chance to fuss and get some nervous energy out of their system by wrapping the tangle around their fingers, much like stress balls or worry stones.
Good2Talk connects students to professional counsellors or Information and Referral Specialists for resources about services or supports a student might need.
Sherri Pinder, one of Canadore’s mental health and wellness navigators at Student Success Services, cheerfully approached students and encouraged them to get their stress busting kits.
“This is kind of a fun and engaging activity and helps students get ahead of that exam tension and the hectic pace of student life,” she said. “They’re often up late studying, they’re not eating properly, they’re not getting the regular activity or exercise, so all of those factors are working against them.”
Bust Your Stress ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Education Centre cafeteria.
Bust Your Stress was organized by both Nipissing University and Canadore College. From left, Kim LaPierre, Lexi Gilmer, Bryanne Bird and Sherri Pinder all worked together to encourage students to get their stress busting kits. PHOTO BY CHRISTINE ROY
