With the end of the semester only a few days away and the stress from finals finally hitting students, the University has taken strides to provide fun activities around campus as convenient stress outlets. Students are encouraged to take the occasional study break and socialize with some friends.
Last week, the University Center hosted everything from karaoke to poetry slams to a comedy show with Gina Yashere. Today, the hype will culminate in the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Pavilion of the M.D. Anderson Memorial Library with board games and late-night pancakes cooked by UH staff.
“It’s all a part of Finals Mania, a tradition at UH that happens twice a year to provide a quick break for students,” said Richard Zagrzecki, communications coordinator of Auxiliary Services.
Hosted each semester by University Services, Dining Services and UH Libraries, Finals Mania will kick off with an appearance by Shasta and the UH marching band performing a series of school-spirited songs and will have eight pancake stations available for students.
“After you get your pancakes, you come out to the topping station. You can get strawberries, whipped cream, butter or syrup,” said Billy Garner, marketing coordinator of Auxiliary Services.
The pancake stations will be sponsored and staffed by representatives from the Student Government Association, Administration and Finance, Student Affairs, Staff Council, Faculty Senate, the library, the Provost’s Office and the Department of Advancement.
Monster Energy Drink will offer free beverages for those students who are having problems staying awake to study, and Citywide Massage will provide free chair massages for anyone who needs help winding down.
“The library purchased a number of popular board games that will be set out on tables in the study areas,” Zagrzecki said in a press release. “Then, as quickly as it all started, they’ll head back to their on-campus housing, apartments and homes to continue studying for final exams.”
The event will take place from 9 to 11 p.m. and will be open to all students with their student ID.
