Midterms causing stress? Mental health is important and there are several activities at CT State Manchester that can help students to decompress and destress from classes and exams.
Wellness Wednesdays with Wanda is a new program designed by campus counselor Wanda Reyes-Dawes to help students learn about health and wellness, manage stress and develop skills to balance their responsibilities.
It takes place each Wednesday in the Wellness Center in the Student Services Center building, room L144, a peaceful place where students can nap, relax, color and otherwise decompress from school responsibilities. There are fidgets and sensory gadgets around the room, along with a sound machine featuring natural running water to help drown out other distracting sounds, since water tends to be relaxing and peaceful, said Reyes-Dawes.
In the Wellness Center on Oct. 8, Reyes-Dawes explained where anxious thoughts come from and how to stop worrying.
“Your thoughts control the level of your anxious levels… you have the power to change it,” she said.
Developing this skill takes time and effort, Reyes-Dawes said.
“Practice equals progress, not perfection,” she said.
Upcoming Wellness Wednesday sessions are Oct. 22 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., when stress reduction strategies will be discussed, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. to noon, when the focus will be learning about coping skills, and Nov. 19 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., when attendees can learn study skills and how to maintain balance through the semester. To share ideas for topics for Wellness Wednesdays or additions to the Wellness Center contact Wanda Reyes-Dawes at [email protected].
In the Raymond F. Damato Library, on the first floor of the Library Resource Center building, hands-on stress relief includes “Crafternoons” in the Makerspace.
Debbie Herman, director of the library, said she introduced the area as a place where students can explore their creativity, discover new hobbies, and connect through arts and crafts. The space is designed to encourage relaxation and self-expression, offering a creative outlet that supports mental well-being.
Through programs like “Crafternoon” and “Maker Mondays” Herman and the rest of the library staff aim to build a welcoming community.
“The event is all about inclusion and diversity, giving students a chance to connect with others and build friendships while enjoying a relaxing, creative break between classes,” said Melissa Rivera, a library staff member who plans the “Crafternoons.”
Whether its painting pumpkins, decorating dreamcatchers or creating artistic masks, the library provides all the supplies needed, thanks to funding from the Manchester Community College Foundation, said Rivera.
“Sometimes we even have leftover materials for students who missed the event,” she said.
Students and staff can also donate art supplies, and some popular activities like painting gnomes and ducks have returned because they were so well liked.
If you have an idea for a “Crafternoon” use the suggestion box at the Circulation desk or email Herman at [email protected].
To learn more about the Makerspace room in the Manchester library visit https://library.ctstate.edu/manchester.
