Montana State offers students ‘de-stress’ events ahead of final exams

BOZEMAN - As the end of the semester and final exams approach, Montana State University students who could stand to shed little stress are in luck, thanks to events being offered by the Student Wellness Center, the MSU Library and the Associated Students of MSU.

The MSU Library will host its perennially popular Paws-to-De-stress sessions during the week before finals. Students can expect to meet dogs, and sometimes a cat, from Intermountain Therapy Animals throughout the week. The organizers stagger the days and times of the events to allow students time and space to connect with an animal and de-stress.

"We bring in various animals during the semester for de-stress activities, from reptiles to miniature horses, llamas to angora rabbits," said Christina Trunnell, assistant dean of the library. "We also offer spaces throughout the semester for de-stressing like our puzzle table and selection of games in the library."

The Student Wellness Center will host its Stress Less Fest on April 30 from 4 to 6 p.m. Stress Less Fest will take place inside the first floor common area of the wellness center and, weather permitting, outside in the courtyard. The event will feature resources and education on stress management, giveaways and chair massages.

"This event focuses on supporting students through the end of the semester when stress levels can understandably rise," said Betsy Asserson, interim associate vice president of Student Wellness.

ASMSU, the student government, will offer students the chance to smash dinner plates from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, April 30, said Bailey Jones, the group's vice president.

"The Platter Splatter is an opportunity for students to throw plastic plates at a wooden board to get relief from the stress of finals week," said Jones, who is a senior majoring in psychology and minoring in sociology.

MSU's Counseling and Psychological Services is also available to help support students during stressful times including the end of the semester, according to psychologist Laura Thum, who also serves as the assistant director of outreach and prevention.

"We have appointments available to meet with counselors individually, as well as drop-in Let's Talk consultation hours where students can meet with a CPS staff member without needing an appointment in locations outside of CPS," Thum said.

For more information about services provided by CPS, visit www.montana.edu/counseling or call 406-994-4531. For information on other events related to de-stressing, visit MSU's calendar.