Stress Relief Week helps students as they prepare for finals

Students participate in an interactive drumming session during Stress Relief Week.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The sound of pounding drums filled the forum in the Student Learning Commons and brought blissful smiles to Springfield Technical Community College students seated in a circle as they participated in one of the events during Stress Relief Week.

The interactive drumming session, held Tuesday, Dec. 10, offered a unique combination of music, mindfulness and movement, helping students alleviate stress a week before finals.

A students pets a therapy dog during Stress Relief Week at STCC.

Student Activities at STCC hosted Stress Relief Week from Dec. 9-Dec. 13, providing students with opportunities to take a break from studying. The week featured daily events filled with food, fun and giveaways.

On Wednesday, Dec. 11, the therapy dogs made a highly anticipated return, allowing students to unwind and de-stress with furry companions.

Yaioene Santos, a Gateway to College student at STCC, loves dogs and puppies, so she didn’t want to miss the event. “It really is therapy to be with a dog. They're just really fluffy, and everybody loves a fluffy dog!” she said.

STCC student Kayleigh Dalrymple, who hopes to study sonography, was all smiles at the event.

Students enjoy a spa during Stress Relief Week at STCC.

“We're trying to study for finals right now and took a break to see the dogs,” she said. “It’s awesome.”

The schedule of events included:

  • Monday, Dec. 9: Cookies, Cocoa, and Cornhole kicked off the week with relaxation and fun, drawing students together to enjoy treats and games.
  • Tuesday, Dec. 10: An Interactive Drumming Session.
  • Wednesday, Dec. 11: Therapy Dogs.
  • Thursday, Dec. 12: Campus Spa Day gave students the chance to enjoy soothing massages, oxygen therapy, and paraffin treatments, providing a much-needed escape from finals preparation.
  • Friday, Dec. 13: The week concluded with a DIY Make-Your-Own Pillow event, where students created cozy pillows using fleece and stuffing, guided by simple instructions.

The events were sponsored by STCC Student Activities in collaboration with the CARE Team, the STEM Center and the Student Ambassadors.

Students expressed gratitude for the initiative, noting how the activities provided a welcome break from the pressures of finals season and fostered a sense of community on campus.

Student ambassador Ron Schneider served treats during Stress Relief Week.

Ron Schneider, a Student Ambassador and graphic design student at STCC, spearheaded the idea for serving cookies and cocoa with support from fellow ambassadors and Student Activities staff. Reflecting on the week, Schneider said, “This was a great opportunity for students to get together for stress relief. They shared their finals experiences and strategies for managing stress.”

Vice President of Student Affairs Darcey Kemp expressed her support for the initiative, emphasizing its importance to student well-being. “Stress Relief Week embodies our commitment to fostering a supportive environment for students. These activities not only help them manage academic pressure but also strengthen the sense of community here at STCC,” Kemp said.

Andrea Tarpey, Coordinator of Student Activities at STCC, shared her thoughts on the event’s success: “Stress Relief Week is all about supporting our students during one of the most challenging times of the semester. It’s heartwarming to see them come together, relax and share moments of joy and connection.”

Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequaled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu