TIME out programme, set up by the Students’ Guild to ease stress, has received mixed reviews from students – while one argues the stress-relief scheme should be extended to St Luke’s campus.
This exam season saw a reintroduction of a nap room on Streatham, following its success in February’s Mental Health Awareness week. From 2-13 May, the “nap zone” was open to students, located in the large A&V room in the upper floor of Devonshire House.
“The room wasn’t really conducive to napping.” – Second year student
Free bubble wrap and stress relief cards are still available from the Guild Advice Unit, while “Procrastination Stations” have been set up around Devonshire house, with board games available for students to use.
But Alex Mansfield, a second year Politics and Economics student, wasn’t convinced the bubble wrap was necessary, arguing: “It’s a good distraction from stress, but I’m worried the Guild are wasting money that could be invested in better sources of wellbeing support, such as CBT sessions.”
Other activities on offer include free circuit classes at the Sports Park and the availability of free food from Guild outlets. A Guild stall was also stationed outside the Ram providing free food samples from 9-12 May while free fruit remains on off er outside the Sabb office.
The Wellbeing Centre has been mentioned as a resource that can provide group sessions, workshops, and self help mechanisms in order to ease stress and anxiety levels. Mobile phone apps such as Headspace are also recommended.
“Exams are a stressful period and I am happy that the Guild can do its bit to help.” – Naomi Armstrong, VP Welfare
Meanwhile a Student Idea on the Guild website is requesting an extension of the ‘Time Out’ activities to St Luke’s campus. In particular, there has been a demand for a nap room. The lack of Guild spaces at St Luke’s campus is an issue that has been raised in the comments.
“Student welfare during exam periods is incredibly important and also massively trivialised,” a second year student told Exeposé. “So the Guild’s intentions in setting up a nap room were brilliant. But ultimately the set-up of the room wasn’t really conducive to napping.” Previously, the Guild has used animals to help with student stress levels. Rachel Gillies, Guild president 2014-15, collaborated with Pennywell Farm to bring micropigs to Streatham campus while that same year, the Guild introduced a puppy room on campus.
“Exams are a stressful time, and I am happy that the Guild can do its bit to help make this period a little easier,” Naomi Armstrong, VP Welfare & Diversity told Exeposé. “The nap room, free fruit and Time-out cards are all based on research about what makes students more productive during exams.”
Details of the facilities and events provided as part of ‘Time Out’ are available on the Guild website.