CSU offers finals week stress busters

With finals week right around the corner, students at Minnesota State University, Mankato may be feeling the stress to complete the many deadlines on their plate.

To ease the stress of the end of the semester, the CSU along with Student Activities is providing multiple stress-busting activities for students.

One activity, and arguably the most popular, is coined Hound Hugs and Kanine Kisses. Students will have the ability to pet a variety of dogs in the CSU from 10 a.m. To 2 p.m.  Monday, as well as 7 to 9 p.m. that same day.

“We’ve actually been doing this on a monthly basis,” said Lenny Koupal, the CSU’s communications coordinator. “It’s been such a great program, and I really think it helps.”

Hound Hugs and Kanine Kisses is put in by the Mankato chapter of Therapy Dogs International.

After hours of studying, you may feel hungry. Luckily, free breakfast will be served 10 p.m. Monday in Myers field house. This will be an buffet-style meal put on by the CSU and Student Activities.

The CSU is also offering free mandala coloring and bubble wrap popping from Monday to Friday. This will be located on the main level of the CSU near the Lincoln Lounge. Both activities are meant to allow students time to get away from their studies and relax.

For those who are looking for even more relaxation during finals week, massage therapist Lindsy Pepper will be accepting appointments for free massages.

“She has been here for a number of years,” Koupal said. “She is great and very holistic in her approach.”

Sign-up sheets will be available everyday outside of CSU 201. Appointments are first come first serve. Appointments are available Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

All of these events are meant to relieve stress during finals week. Professors, administration, and staff alike all know that finals are a stressful time, and the CSU and Student Activities are happy to provide some outlets for students during this time.

“We realize this is a high-stress time, and we want students to have a wide range of activities for students to relieve that stress.”