‘De-stress with us!’

By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director

Lindsey Fiori knows how stressful the weeks leading up to the end of the semester can be.

With finals, family obligations, the want to see friends and the need to buy presents, all can add up to a stress overload.

“Sometimes it just feels overwhelming,” said the senior Human Health Sciences major (pre-dental track) from Palm Beach, Fla. “When I first look at my to-do list on Canvas for the next two weeks, I instantly become stressed and panic a little bit.”

Luckily, with the help of the College of Health Sciences' Office of Student Affairs, she’ll get a chance to de-stress.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Dec. 4 and 5 (Monday and Tuesday), Student Affairs and Alumni Engagement will be in the CTW Student Lounge giving away items to make those negative feelings fly away like so many nimble reindeer.

“We know the end of the semester can be a stressful time, so stop by the Student Lounge and de-stress with us,” said John Cruz, Director of Alumni Engagement.

Officials will be giving away granola bars, candy canes, fruit snacks, lotion and more. And those who visit will also get to meet Bernadette Cortez, CHS’ Director of Recruitment and co-host of The Way Podcast.

The event is just another of the many ways that the College tries to help students with their mental health.  

“All students want to achieve success with their goals, and a big part of that in this moment is finishing the semester strongly; it comes with a lot of internalized pressure and the stressors to ‘meet the mark,’” said Casey Shadix, PhD and Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. “We hope to share space with our CHS students to offer our support and encourage them to take good care along the way.”

For students like Fiori, who also serves as a PATHfinder Peer Mentor, that means balancing studies with all the other things that come with this time of year — like visiting the Sleigh Your Way table.

“As a senior now, I have figured out how to navigate that long list of assignments,” she said. “I like to get all my projects and papers done early, so I can focus on studying during the last week of class. Anything else we can do to make this time easier for everyone, I’m all for it. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Advice for those looking to de-stress:

• Visit the CHS Sleigh Your Way table for snacks and goodies
   
• Go for a walk
   
• Go to the library with friends — you can study and socialize
   
• Eat a balanced diet
   
• Get support if you need it — from academic to mental health
   
• And here’s 5 tips to ace your finals!