York is U’s first Stress Buster Carnival filled Central Square’s East Bear Pit with activities aimed at helping students cope with exam time pressure, relax and have some fun. The carnival, which ran from 9am to 3pm, Nov. 30, featured massages, guided meditations and interactive demonstrations. Professionals were on hand with ideas on coping with exam-time anxiety and carnival games allowed visitors to have some fun before heading off to hit the books.
Above right: Break dancers entertain in Central Square
Right: Masseur works on stressed student
Prashanna Kantharasa, York is U special events director, said about 150 students eagerly lined up for massages, waiting their turn to have a professional masseur melt away their stress while hundreds more enjoyed shooting hoops or parking their anxiety while they played video games. The carnival’s stage shows received good reviews and spectators applauded the break dancers, martial artists and tai chi practitioners. Some students took in the stress reduction presentations, which highlighted different strategies for staying calm during the hectic final days of the fall term.
Above: Students listen to presentations on stress management