Stressed out students facing a next week’s final exams have a chance for one last hurrah Friday night at the Rec Center.
The Rec Center and Natural High, a student committee that advocates drug and alcohol-free activities, will sponsor the first ever Relax at the Rec tomorrow from 10 p.m. to midnight.
Relax at the Rec’s activities will include massages, a Madden 2004 Playstation 2 tournament, swimming pool access and snack foods. All activities are free to University students.
The idea for Relax at the Rec started with Cashanna Moses, Natural High student coordinator and a general studies senior. Moses said her goal was to provide a service for students who are in the middle of studying.
“We incorporated what students would like,” she said.
Jacqueline Tabor, a Rec Sports assistant director and overseer of the event, said all students should take advantage of Relax at the Rec’s free activities.
“I know that if I’d had something like this as a student, I would have been there,” she said.
Moses said trained personnel will give massages. Masseuses will include University athletic trainers, professionals from Blue Cliff School of Therapeutic Massage in New Orleans and Lockstars – models for Lockworks Hair and Body Salon.
Activities also will include stress management tips from the Wellness Education Center.
Kathy Saichuk, center coordinator, said students must take care of their health and grades during finals week.
“We’re going to cover little things students can do if they are starting to feel stressed out,” she said.
Saichuk said students should maintain consistent sleep schedules and eat good meals. She also said Friday’s tips will include specific snacks to eat during busy weeks.
The Wellness Education Center also will hand out “stress kits” that include tea bags, gum and a feather. Each of these items will include instructions about how they can be best used for stress relief.
Vincent Purpera, an ISDS junior, said he regularly uses Rec facilities. He was glad to hear Rec facilities will be utilized for pre-finals relaxation at no cost students.
Purpera said he would like to take advantage of Relax at the Rec activities.
“Free massages – I’m always up for that,” he said. “Students, especially during exam weeks, are stressed out and have no money.”
Courtney Spring, a textile and apparel merchandising freshman, said she does not use the Rec Center as often as she would like but would go to Relax at the Rec. She said all the events activities are good relaxing techniques.
“It’s good that it’s on a Friday because otherwise I wouldn’t be able to go,” Spring said.
Moses said Natural High members plan to continue Relax in the Rec for future semesters. She encouraged all students to attend the event.
“They have to take a study break,” she said. “So we advise them to come to the Rec.”
University students may bring one guest each. Guests must pay $5 for admission.