College offers puppies and coloring books to deal with finals stress

[dotfurio]

Makes me want to go back to college!

 

[Missy1961]

The difference is, in most cases, the 40 year old woman's supervisor isn't saying to her - "Hey, bless your heart. You look a little stressed. End-of-the-year inventory is hard. Why don't you take a break? Here's a coloring book."

But I suppose a case can be made for the college students needing to be taught how to handle stress so that, when they're 40, they know how to handle stress by themselves.

No, but maybe when inventory is over, the boss buys the staff a pizza lunch, or lets them go home early or some other kind of reward.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

I don't know how a kind, supportive gesture from a university has suddenly become "coddling".

Wow, really? To young adults in their early twenties who have chosen a different path outside of college, this kind of thing is laughable. Want to pet puppies? Go to a shelter or pet store. Want to color? Buy your own coloring book and crayons.

I guess I'm not feeling all that bad for adults who voluntarily chose the stress of college over the stress of another path. What makes them special? Stress is a part of life. It is not the responsibility of other adults to make sure you have a fresh box of crayons and a fresh color page.

really? Puppies and crayons? Really? Preschool stuff? Do these college students have teachers that wipe their noses and squirt hand sanitizer on their hands before lunch too?

Poor babies. Bless their hearts.

You sound a bit bitter towards college students.

FWIW, my last workplace did have coloring books and crayons in our breakroom every once in a while. It was silly and fun... maybe life doesn't have to be so serious.

And no, it's not the responsibility of adults to provide those things for other adults. It's a kind gesture from the college to the students going through a stressful time. Out here in the "real world", my current bosses bought lunch for our whole team a few weeks ago on a particularly bad day for us. And no, I don't suddenly expect for my bosses to feed me from now on.

 

[jdb in AZ]

When my niece was a college student she actually scolded a prof for giving such a difficult exam that she "had" to have a pedicure afterward, and it was all his fault. pffft. Now that she's graduated and has had to deal with the stress of "real" life, including a failed marriage and dealing with a 7-yr-old DD who's too much like mama, that exam doesn't seem so stressful now.

 

[Disney Doll]

My goodness we are raising such pansies now, totally unable to cope with normal life.

 

[Poohforyou]

I think there are a lot of kids, teens and young adults who never learned to self sooth as a baby and this is the result. It's fine if a student finds coloring or playing with a dog reduces stress but the student should be addressing their needs themselves not having the college play mommy.

 

[mjkacmom]

Both of ds's colleges have this as stress relief during finals. Not sure if they participate or not as I don't talk to them much until finals are over.

They didn't grow up with pets, so it might be a nice treat for them, or not.

The colleges also have things like free doughnuts, coffee and pizza during finals week.

There are so many comforts now on college campuses that were not common back in the day (community bathrooms and showers anyone). Heck, regular life in the US is much more comfortable than it once was. Why begrudge comforts kids have today? How many of us use outhouses?

Just this week there was a major incident at Ohio State. Things are truly different these days.

Both of my college students dormed in a small cinder blocked room with communal bathrooms down the hall, no a/c. One is off campus now, sharing an apartment with 4 other girls.

 

[mjkacmom]

It has nothing to do with the size of the institution. Plenty of large colleges and universities do this, and have for years:
http://www.northeastern.edu/news/multimedia-items/hello-dogs-goodbye-stress/

Dd20 best friend goes there. However, her college is much larger, more than twice as big.

 

[NMAmy]

Colleges have been having finals week activities for students for years--as well as welcome events, homecoming events and contests, sports activities. I have no idea why this one seems so over the top to some folks. The cost is minimal and it sounds like fun.

Does no one work for a company with wellness events? I've worked at different companies with casino nights, special luncheons, guest speakers, cookies/donuts provided, book groups, walking groups--all of which were encouraged to reduce workers' stress and improve morale.

 

[mjkacmom]

Because my work place doesn't provide the coloring book, crayons and a place to color.

I provide my own supplies and place.

The difference is, your employer pays you, while students are paying colleges tens of thousands of dollars.

For those who object, did you even go away to college? Programs like this can be used in marketing material. Colleges really want their students to do well, and want to have a high graduation rate. It's a business. I would think most colleges have some extras during finals (ds18 mentioned free food and t-shirts).

 

[PollyannaMom]

Well, my roommate and I used to color when we were in college (twenty-something years ago, before it was trendy) so I obviously don't think you need to outgrow it. It's very relaxing, and I see nothing wrong with colleges encouraging it.

And I think the puppies are a great idea as well. When these students are out in this "real world" some people are so worried about them being prepared for, they will be able to have a pet, which is proven to reduce stress. But because they are temporarily living in a dorm, they don't have that option. So I find the visits to be a nice gesture. (Plus, the socialization is good for the dogs too!)

 

[Aliceacc]

I guess I don't understand the insistence that everything be hard, just like in "the good old days when we were young."

I'm 58. And I've led a very fortunate life. I had parents and siblings, and a husband and 3 kids who have loved me, and everyone but dad is still with us today. We weren't rich by any means, but we always had all of our needs and the vast majority of our wants covered. I've had a job, sometimes 2 at a time, since I was 16 and have managed to find success.

Aside from the occasional medical crisis, either my own or that of someone I've loved, life has been incredibly kind to me.

But I certainly don't begrudge time with a puppy, or a college provided coloring book, to someone to whom they provide relief. I also don't begrudge free Santa gifts for the needy, or a warm donated coat for someone who doesn't have one.

As far as I know, my son's college doesn't have this program, and it's not likely to be a priority in my daughter's college search. But if a school does offer it, and some kid feels better after half an hour with a puppy when his own parents and puppy are far away, then I don't understand all the sarcasm.

For what it's worth, I've taught high school since 1980. And the overwhelming, huge majority of our current college kids are no different than they were when I started teaching. They're bright, kind, considerate, hard working kids doing their best to get an education so they can make a difference in this world. They volunteer, they help the needy, they're passionate about doing the right thing. The "snowflakes" tend to be more a product of over enthusiastic parenting than the needs of the kids themselves. It bothers me each time I read of the names they're called, frequently by those who don't seem to actually deal with anyone of this age group on a regular basis.

So I say give them puppies to hold, coloring books, ice cream socials and anything else that will help with their mental health at a hectic time of year. Those are healthy ways of dealing with stress, perhaps healthy habits they'll take into full adulthood with them as they work to improve the world.

 

[mom2rtk]

That's like saying you're raising your kids in a way where they'll never need chemotherapy. I hope they never do, but it's beyond your control.

Eh. Not exactly. Parents don't have nearly as much control over how their kids turn out as they think they do. But it is possible to bring them up in a way that makes makes them more resilient and able to cope with the curve balls that life will undoubtedly throw at them.

 

[mom2rtk]

I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. My son is a senior. When he was a freshman, he mentioned that a rescue group had brought some dogs in during finals week for the students to pet. I thought it was a win/win. The dogs needed attention, and it was a nice distraction for the students. My son would have loved to spend some time petting the dogs, but was on his way to class when he saw them and didn't have time to stop.

That was before all the talk of safe spaces and coloring books. I think the pendulum has swung too far now and it seems more like coddling.

Thankfully no coloring books at my son's school. Although it's an engineering school, so they *might* have had a video game tournament here or there along the way.

 

[Aliceacc]

Thankfully no coloring books at my son's school. Although it's an engineering school, so they *might* have had a video game tournament here or there along the way.

Isn't that just the engineer's version of a puppy or a coloring book? It's a planned event, designed to take your mind off the stress of exams.

 

[mom2rtk]

Isn't that just the engineer's version of a puppy or a coloring book? It's a planned event, designed to take your mind off the stress of exams.

Yeah, that was sort of my point. Thus the winking smilie face.

 

[Aliceacc]

Sorry, it's early and I've just done this week's school work, trying to put together today's "to do" list.

I'm guessing I need caffeine.

 

[DawnM]

Here is what I have noticed.

When we graduated from college and started interviewing, our attitude was "this is what we can bring to your company." 25 years later, the attitude is, "what can your company do for ME?"

I think all this coddling and hand holding is creating a society of self centered, self absorbed people in a worse way than it ever has before.

Is there anything inherently wrong with puppies and coloring books? Of course not, but I think it would be far better if new adults learn to self soothe and find ways to destress without expecting it from their place of education or place of work.

Are some perks sometimes nice? Sure, but we should not expect them. I feel this next generation expects them.

 

[Southernmiss]

Both of my college students dormed in a small cinder blocked room with communal bathrooms down the hall, no a/c. One is off campus now, sharing an apartment with 4 other girls.

Yes. My son's colleges have older cinder block dorms with communal bathrooms. But those are being torn down one by one in favor of new dorms with 2 rooms sharing a bathroom or single rooms with a bathroom. In the not too distant future, communal bathrooms will be a thing of the past. Where as not too long ago, it was the norm.

And oldest ds is also sharing an off campus apartment with 4 guys.

 

[Aliceacc]

Here is what I have noticed.

When we graduated from college and started interviewing, our attitude was "this is what we can bring to your company." 25 years later, the attitude is, "what can your company do for ME?"

I think all this coddling and hand holding is creating a society of self centered, self absorbed people in a worse way than it ever has before.

Is there anything inherently wrong with puppies and coloring books? Of course not, but I think it would be far better if new adults learn to self soothe and find ways to destress without expecting it from their place of education or place of work.

Are some perks sometimes nice? Sure, but we should not expect them. I feel this next generation expects them.

Apparently you're not the first to notice this:

"
Quotes > Quotable Quote

“The children now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise.”

― Socrates