Wildcats’ least favorite week of the year is fast approaching. Maybe you’re already stressed out thinking about the exams, papers, and presentations that are coming. No need to freak out though. By making an efficient timetable, getting enough sleep, and enjoying the stress relief opportunities at Norris, the week will pass by without a major breakdown.
If you are a study-at-night person, you can start jumping up and down because Norris will be open every day until midnight with late-night study spaces. And if you’re worried about the cost of those 20 pages papers you need to print, guess what? There will be free printing on the ground floor during both reading week and finals week.
On Friday, March 16, Exam Relief programming takes off with a fun belly dancing session for you to shimmy your stress away from 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. in the Wildcat Room. It is proven that any form of exercise boosts your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters, called endorphins, so moving your hips for a while will definitely be a great stress reliever.
Then on Sunday, March 18, in the Northwestern Room from 3 – 4:40 p.m., you can enjoy the best therapy there is: mini horses. Petting these wonderful creatures will ease your anxiety levels and put a smile on your face. You can also head down to the ground level at 7 p.m. and sign up for the Game Break Competition with chance to win a $25 gift card. Games will begin at 7:30 p.m. and categories include fidget spinners, Candyland, and giant Jenga. If all of this fun works up your appetite, then stay around from 10 – 11 p.m. for a Candyland Snack Break.
Another way of relieving stress, reducing muscle tensions, sharpening concentration, and calming the nervous system is…drumroll…yoga! That’s why on Monday, March 19, you should take an hour of your time, from 7 – 8 p.m. and attend the nighttime yoga session in the Wildcat Room. Give your body and mind the care they deserve. Afterwards, you can head down to the ground level at 10 p.m. and snag one of five different flavors at the hot cookie bar. Score!
But that’s not all! On Tuesday, March 20 you can enjoy the ultimate stress reliever and relax with free massages. Doesn’t that sound heavenly? They will be available in the Northwestern Room from 7 – 9 p.m., but be sure to get there before 7 p.m. or you’ll find a really long line. After you’ve loosened up, go to the ground floor at 11 p.m. to enjoy the Big Late Night Breakfast. On Wednesday, March 21, you can treat yourself to a bagel break, also on the ground floor, from 10 – 11 p.m.
Stress can get the best of us during the few last weeks of the quarter, but Norris is always there to guide you through a healthy way of acing this finals season. Make sure to take advantage of it!