College offers puppies and coloring books to deal with finals stress

[erin1715]

I really have no problem with colleges bringing in therapy dogs during finals week or coloring books. Final exams are a stressful time. We all experience stress in our lives and have outlets that we use to de-stress and I think dogs and coloring are a couple of the more healthy ways to do it.

What I have to add on to this that I find completely ridiculous, is that after the recent election students were so traumatized by the results that they needed "safe spaces" and counseling groups to cope with it. Now, that is something that I find to be coddling.

 

[scrapquitler]

I saw this and while I know finals can be extremely stressful, I think it is time to stop some of the coddling and learn to deal with life.

http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2016...ring-books-for-college-finals-raise-concerns/


SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – It’s a stressful time for college students with finals looming at American River College and some are coloring outside the lines for therapy.

Puppies are lending paws to de-stress and an adult coloring book program will soon be at their finger tips.

“When you’re coloring it sends you back to a more simpler mindset, so it is really stress relieving to sit and draw and color,” said Aaron Austin, a student at ARC.

But others believe this form of what some call juvenile program it’s creating a real problem.

“I do have a concern with bringing these things on campus because I think we have a tendency to baby college students,” said Benjamin Uchytil who is also a student at ARC.

Uchytil is back in school for his masters degree and said students need to learn to cope like adults.

“The world does not come to an end because you did not get what you want,” she said.

American River College is willing to try colorful tools.

“Stress is real and some students are looking for ways to manage that stress, so we’re trying to be creative and flexible in a way that helps to manage that stress so they can succeed,” said Scott Crow, a spokesman for ARC.

Puppy time at Sac State was a big hit. Students are happy it’s coming to ARC.

“We definitely need puppies on campus, even coloring honestly,” said Kendall Long who is also a student at ARC.

A major concern though, the cost.

ARC said the coloring books and crayons will all be donated. Teachers have donated their time outside of school hours as well and it will not come out of taxpayers pockets.

As for the puppies, their four legged companionship is free, provided by the SPCA.

“We are just trying to go to school to do better in the world, so why not help them the best we can,” said Long.

I don't know...back when I was in college in the 80s, residence life provided us with several study break activities to help relieve stress during finals week. We had a pizza party, a DJ dance party in the dining hall, a special breakfast in the dorm, and some other fun activities. This isn't really any different.

 

[dragonrider2014]

These type of events are not new. I work in student activities and we have done various stress relief events at mid-terms and finals. And yes, I will have a room that will have puzzles, games and coloring during finals week. What has been left out of this conversation is that while often times the story says "the college" the fact it it is usually the student activities board and/or the residence hall association that plan these events. So it often is students planning these events for other students. Or other student services offices that do it

The dogs do seem to be a new idea (mostly within the past 10 years) as colleges/universities have been more open to having animals visit campus. Although it still varies from college to college depending a lot on the risk management people. My college had therapy dogs out on campus during mid-terms for the first time this year but it was a pain for the person coordinating it since risk management was concerned about someone being bitten. They made everyone who wanted to pet the dog sign a liability waiver.

I went to college back in the 80's and the RA's in my building often set up board games and puzzles in the lounge during finals week as a stress break. So as I said, it is not new.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I don't know...back when I was in college in the 80s, residence life provided us with several study break activities to help relieve stress during finals week. We had a pizza party, a DJ dance party in the dining hall, a special breakfast in the dorm, and some other fun activities. This isn't really any different.

Not any different in the least. And I'm glad to see that some of the commuter schools are starting to offer more of these things like the residence schools do.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I don't get why it's bad? Exams are stressful. Stress is unhealthy. Puppies and coloring are proven to relieve stress. I would hope they'd throw in a meditation class, too, but people need to learn what to do to help relieve stress in their life.

 

[Katie Dawn]

I think it's great! Don't we want to teach our young adults to develop healthy coping skills? Petting a dog and coloring a coloring book are both healthy, easy, and effective. Those of you opposed: is it that you don't think finals are are stressful for several students? Or is it that you think finals are pretty stressful but just believe they need to "buck up" and push through the stress? If it's the latter: that's terrible advice! The people that simply ignore/stuff down the things that cause them anxiety and don't learn healthy coping skills are doing themselves a disservice. It WILL manifest itself at some point (over eat? blow up at your family over something unrelated? heart attack?) A few minutes with a coloring book is a much healthier and mature choice.

 

[TheConsciousness]

Just wanted to remind everyone what this new wave of "safe spaces" are:

Safe spaces started when a student group met weekly to discuss their experiences with sexual assault and traumatic experience.
A group of students got wind that students of the LGBTQ community were attending these events and decided to harass the members by busting in with signs that were very close to what you see on the Westboro Baptist Church signs.
The school then appointed people to watch the doors to the meetings, and thus the rebels got angry and called them 'safe spaces'.
Members of the meeting decided to adopt the term 'safe space' and the rebels told the media that universities around the world were setting up safe spaces.

It's all about perspective.

 

[Allison]

I don't know...back when I was in college in the 80s, residence life provided us with several study break activities to help relieve stress during finals week. We had a pizza party, a DJ dance party in the dining hall, a special breakfast in the dorm, and some other fun activities. This isn't really any different.

You are right. It isn't any different. I'm not sure why people are bothered by this.

 

[JoeA]

I am curious, can the student borrow the dog for the job interview? Man, that can be stressful? Or how about the first time they have conflict with a co-worker? Wait...I have an idea!

CoddledKids.com!

"Kids, have a stressful job? A pending deadline? What about that annoying co-worker who constantly stresses you out? Fear not! We at CoddledKids.com will use our new drone service to deliver a dog straight to your office desk! Please note that large breed dogs will have a surcharge due to their size and difficulty in delivering via drone."

 

[LilyWDW]

I am curious, can the student borrow the dog for the job interview? Man, that can be stressful? Or how about the first time they have conflict with a co-worker? Wait...I have an idea!

CoddledKids.com!

"Kids, have a stressful job? A pending deadline? What about that annoying co-worker who constantly stresses you out? Fear not! We at CoddledKids.com will use our new drone service to deliver a dog straight to your office desk! Please note that large breed dogs will have a surcharge due to their size and difficulty in delivering via drone."

You are really over reaching with this and it's sad that people would make fun of others finding ways to handle stress.

When I started college back in the day, I didn't have a good idea of what worked for me for stress relief. Before then I didn't have a real need for it. I would say there were many students who were in the same boat. So why is it bad that the school assist in helping students learn that sort of thing? College is a stepping stone into the next aspect of life. Is finding ways to handle stress NOT an important part of continuing on? Is it not better they find the way that works best for them in college instead of still struggling with it later on?

The fact that people make fun of those looking for ways to deal with stress is really really bothersome. That is why kids and adults have problems looking for help when they need it the most, because a stigma becomes attached to it. If I had known THEN what helped with my stress and anxiety, maybe my life as a whole would have been better. Maybe I wouldn't have to deal with all the issues I deal with now, mentally and physically. But because of junk like this, I refused to get help until I broke.

 

[Allison]

Thirty years ago our parents were having the same discussion about our generation. Everybody thinks the next generation is coddled and has it easy. The cycle continues..

 

[DopeyDame]

I am curious, can the student borrow the dog for the job interview? Man, that can be stressful? Or how about the first time they have conflict with a co-worker? Wait...I have an idea!

CoddledKids.com!

"Kids, have a stressful job? A pending deadline? What about that annoying co-worker who constantly stresses you out? Fear not! We at CoddledKids.com will use our new drone service to deliver a dog straight to your office desk! Please note that large breed dogs will have a surcharge due to their size and difficulty in delivering via drone."

As far as I've heard, no one is allowed to bring the dog or the coloring books into the actual exams, which would be the more appropriate analogous scenario, I guess.
But yeah - on days when I have an unusually stressful work day, I do try to do something relaxing that evening (or the evening before). Right after my last job interview, I went to Barnes and Noble, got a drink from the cafe, and lounged around in the travel book section for half an hour before going home to pick up my kids and resume my life. That half hour made me a better mom that evening and sure didn't hurt anyone.
Same thing with coloring books in the student lounge - doesn't hurt anyone and might be useful... or even just <gasp> FUN!

And as many others have said, this stuff isn't new. The weekend before finals at my college in the 90s we had a huge festival type thing, that involved a mud pit and those huge blow-up-sumo-wrestler-type moon bounce get-ups where you could bounce around and whack one another. It was awesome.

 

[gwynne]

Thirty years ago our parents were having the same discussion about our generation. Everybody thinks the next generation is coddled and has it easy. The cycle continues..

Exactly.
When I was in college they offered a huge spread of late night (mostly high calorie) snacks and make your own sundaes. I don't see how that was "better" than spending some time with a puppy.

 

[mjkacmom]

I am curious, can the student borrow the dog for the job interview? Man, that can be stressful? Or how about the first time they have conflict with a co-worker? Wait...I have an idea!

CoddledKids.com!

"Kids, have a stressful job? A pending deadline? What about that annoying co-worker who constantly stresses you out? Fear not! We at CoddledKids.com will use our new drone service to deliver a dog straight to your office desk! Please note that large breed dogs will have a surcharge due to their size and difficulty in delivering via drone."

My guess is that you didn't go away to college?

 

[Disney Dynamite]

I don't know...back when I was in college in the 80s, residence life provided us with several study break activities to help relieve stress during finals week. We had a pizza party, a DJ dance party in the dining hall, a special breakfast in the dorm, and some other fun activities. This isn't really any different.

This!!! I think a lot of the backlash is because of how colleges present these types of activities now. The concept of taking a break from studying during finals isn't new, and that's all this is - a break. I graduated college almost 10 years ago, and I can still remember looking forward to the late night pancake breakfast my college hosted every semester during finals week. When I later worked as a graduate assistant in housing at a different university, we also hosted various study break activities during finals week.

 

[sam_gordon]

Wow, I just read the thread quickly, but I don't think anyone is denying finals can be stressful for students. I also didn't read anywhere where people say students should remain stressed or have a miserable time.

The reason I disagree with universities taking these steps is the students don't have to "self" pacify. What if coloring books or puppies doesn't work for someone. Should a college set up a shooting range with an AK-47?

According to some on this thread, it seems like if coloring books and puppies weren't provided, students would drink, do drugs, and have sex. But hey, since there are coloring books and puppies, that's not happening.

 

[bethbuchall]

This!!! I think a lot of the backlash is because of how colleges present these types of activities now. The concept of taking a break from studying during finals isn't new, and that's all this is - a break. I graduated college almost 10 years ago, and I can still remember looking forward to the late night pancake breakfast my college hosted every semester during finals week. When I later worked as a graduate assistant in housing at a different university, we also hosted various study break activities during finals week.

The colleges or the media? It seems to be common right now for people to denigrate groups, and media feeds right into that. Students are having fun with puppies and coloring books while taking a break from studying for exams, but it's turned into immature, coddled students require puppies and coloring books for stress relief or they'll crumble. It seems as if the "You won't believe what happened next..." mentality is making its way from social media to the mainstream media. Everything gets an added a bit of hyperbole.

 

[bethbuchall]

Wow, I just read the thread quickly, but I don't think anyone is denying finals can be stressful for students. I also didn't read anywhere where people say students should remain stressed or have a miserable time.

The reason I disagree with universities taking these steps is the students don't have to "self" pacify. What if coloring books or puppies doesn't work for someone. Should a college set up a shooting range with an AK-47?

According to some on this thread, it seems like if coloring books and puppies weren't provided, students would drink, do drugs, and have sex. But hey, since there are coloring books and puppies, that's not happening.

Students do still have to "self pacify." No one is saying that the colleges need to provide every experience or form of stress relief so that every individual is fully satisfied. My high school student has access to a variety of games, art supplies, pets, toys, books, etc. at home and can go out to the store almost any time to get something else if he wants to. College students live in small rooms without all the comforts of home. So, if they get to pet some puppies and think of their pets at home or they get to grab a coloring books and crayons for a bit of relaxation between rounds of studying, it may bring a smile to their faces. They don't necessarily have access to all the ways to relieve stress that we as adults have. There's nothing wrong in providing some options. Would you not send a fun "care package" to your child in college because they should "self pacify?"

 

[Caskett616]

I really have no problem with colleges bringing in therapy dogs during finals week or coloring books. Final exams are a stressful time. We all experience stress in our lives and have outlets that we use to de-stress and I think dogs and coloring are a couple of the more healthy ways to do it.

What I have to add on to this that I find completely ridiculous, is that after the recent election students were so traumatized by the results that they needed "safe spaces" and counseling groups to cope with it. Now, that is something that I find to be coddling.

Well, I know an adult male that had to take a sick day in 2008 the day after the election.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Well, I know an adult male that had to take a sick day in 2008 the day after the election.

My youngest son was so upset (he has anxiety (+) and is very politically involved) he couldn't sleep and so I let him stay home from school the next day. We do not coddle him.