Maggie Collins
Editorial, Arts and Entertainment
There’s only one word to describe the last two weeks of the semester: stressful. Now is the time of the year when every professor assigns their last paper, group project or assignment, and they are all due in a matter of days. While it may seem like you can’t find time to do anything other than study or finish your homework, it’s important to set aside time to take care of your mental health. Even if it means putting off doing laundry until the next day, or watching dirty dishes pile up, staying healthy is one of the most important things you can do.
One thing I appreciate about UNCG is its consistency in expressing the importance of mental health. Before going to school here, I never learned how to properly give my brain a break, really take a break, so I was really struggling with the stress that college brings. By doing some simple and short activities, you can give your brain the rest it deserves from the fast pace of the busiest time of the semester.
There are several ongoing events on campus that allow students to take an hour or two out of their busy lives, and UNCG also has groups with dedicated events to take the stress out of final exams. Campus Counseling and Psychological Services hosts a free expression event where you can engage in arts-based activities for self-expression, stress reduction and awareness. It is held every Thursday from 3-4:30 pm in Room 214 of the Associated Campus Ministry Building. The International Student Association will host an International Movie Night with free popcorn and drinks on April 20th at 6:00 pm in Bryan Room 117. Additionally, UNCG is hosting Spartapalooza again for the first time since 2019. It will be held April 22nd from 3-7pm in the Jefferson Suites parking lot. There will be carnival rides, games, food, prizes, music and more.
Check out these events and find other events on Spartan Connect: https://uncg.presence.io/events.
You can also do on your own time what works best for you to reduce stress. It might be akin to going to the Weatherspoon Museum on campus to see art. You can also get outside and make the most of our beautiful campus. It’s a great way to get some fresh air for your mind. There are several places for easy nature walks, or you can visit Peabody Park just north of campus.
Leaving your room or den can take you away from work entirely, but you can enjoy some quick moments of relaxation no matter where you are. This can include some quick breathing exercises, listening to your favorite playlist, reading an interesting book or listening to a podcast.
Whatever you decide to do to help pass the finals, it’s important to do so in a healthy way. Your mind can only truly rest by doing something that takes you completely out of work. Most of the time, doing something new or different will help you reduce stress the most. If you’re an avid social media person, set your phone to “Do Not Disturb” and go for a walk outside or visit the Leonard J. Kaplan Wellness Center, our on-campus gym. If you’re constantly running from place to place with little time to rest, give your body some rest by taking a 30-minute nap.
We all find rest in different ways, but the most important thing is that you find what works best for you personally. This will allow you to do better on final papers, projects and assignments because you will be well rested. Taking care of yourself mentally can easily become a last priority without you even noticing. However, I hope this post has encouraged you to not only find real rest these past few weeks, but to make your mental health a priority.
Categories: Featured, Opinion
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