Helping first year U of T students de-stress while they are heading into the hectic final exam period is the entire point of Exam Jam. First launched by the Faculty of Arts and Science in April 2012, Exam Jam has become an important respite for students across the University wanting to review, refresh and de-stress in this hectic period – it has also proven very popular among students, even getting a positive shout-out in an international weekly newspaper .
“Each campus has taken a slightly different approach as to how they run their Exam Jam”, notes Vice-Provost, Students Professor Jill Matus, “but the important point is that students recognize the value of taking breaks and that they have opportunities to de-compress. Exam Jam allows this in an organized and a safe environment. It draws on the professional resources of our student health and wellness centres and on the creative programmatic initiatives of student life offices, student groups and ancillary units such as Food Services. They have all collaborated on a host of wonderful offerings.”
First out of the gate this year, was UTSC which hosted events April 1-4 that included free fitness classes, academic advising and career counselling, facilitated study groups and a lounge where students could find health snacks, leave supportive messages for one another, and just hang out. At UTM, activities also began on April 1 with De-Stress Week in the Library and culminated in the campus Exam Jam on April 10 in the Instruction Centre. Hosted by the Historical Studies Department, HCC, utmONE,genONE/utmPLUS, and the offices of Student Life and the Dean of Academics, facilitated study groups, de-stressing activities by Peer Health Educator, live music, healthy snacks, and giving back thank you cards were among the activities.
On April 8-9 and 16 approximately 1400 students participated on the downtown campus in the Faculty of Arts and Science’s Exam Jam and Faculty of Applied Sciences and Engineering’s Exam Jam . Students were able to take part in dedicated study sessions, find open study space, get some free healthy snacks and participate in fun activities – like the Pet Therapy Station where students got to meet Cairn Terriers Ginger and Henry! (see photo). The Faculty of Arts and Science co-sponsored the event with ASSU (Arts and Science Students Union), and partnered with Kinesiology and Physical Education, Health and Wellness, Academic Skills Centre, Food Services and Hart House in offering this term’s programming. Together they pooled their resources and talents into a host of fun activities, including the aforementioned Pet Therapy Station, as well as button-making stations, life-sized Jenga, free massages and make your own stress balls and balloon animals. Arts and Science also coordinated study sessions with nine participating academic units (Astronomy, Chemistry, Classics, Math, Economics, Kinesiology, Philosophy, Politics and Psychology), all of which offered course review sessions with faculty members, TAs or Peer Tutors. First and second year course instructors were invited to host study sessions.
Several new initiatives appeared at the Arts and Science Exam Jam including the introduction of a Blue Space. Blue Space is a campaign designed by the Health and Wellness Centre to help de-stigmatize mental health issues. Similar to the highly successful Positive Space campaign where safer and more inclusive spaces for LGBTTIQQ2S have been identified around campus with rainbow triangle stickers and posters, Blue Space identifies a place where students can safely discuss how they are feeling: stressed, happy, sad, proud, apprehensive, etc. Blue Space is a new campaign launched on Campus in late Fall 2012 and is expected to expand in the coming months. Other new initiatives were planned by various participating departments, including several Colleges. Students could decorate cookies with the Healthy U Crew, visit De-stressor Lounges, take a free Zumba classes and chill-out at colouring stations. These fun activities were available to students from April 4 to 10.