Ontario Tech Student Union (OTSU) helped students power through their study sessions by fueling up on free caffeine.
President Eloghosa Avenbuan said the April 14 ‘de-stress’ event, called Finals Fuel, was aimed to support students through finals.
“Students can come in, get some Timbits. We also have coffee and French vanilla,” said Avenbuan. “We’ve got some pens here, with two different colors for students to just grab on their way.”
Students can have between four and seven exams at this time of year. This means they need to shift their focus between several topics of study.
Avenbuan knows this time of year can be stressful.
“As a former student, I definitely believe the stress around exam period, which is one of the most stressful times you can have as a student, is really crucial,” she said.
The event took place at the De-Stress Desk inside the campus library.
The De-Stress Desk has study resources available to students, as well as a puzzle board for students to use to decompress.
The event website promoted “no registration, no cost, no stress.”
Cassie Stumpf, a third year Neuroscience student, said the event is helpful for struggling students to de-stress.
“I think it’s really great, especially for people who are here a lot and struggling,” she said.
According to the Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, nearly half of all students experience exam stress. The number is slightly higher for female students, at about 55 per cent.
Second year Bachelor of Nursing student, Oroni Tanjim, said her go-to de-stressor is walking.
“I just go outside and walk and look at the nature. Try to look at the small things because there is a lot of things happening around,” she said.
A 2023 study from the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) found the number of students reporting elevated stress has risen to 37 per cent from 29 per cent in 2015.
“For your overall health and for your academic success and support, to while you’re studying to kind of stay on course, take care of yourself and take some moments to pause and reflect,” said Avenbuan.
“And really, stay grounded and pour into yourself because, again, like an empty cup, you can’t pour into others.”
Ontario Tech offers various programs to students such as therapy and specialized supports for addictions and crisis support.