On Friday, November 18, UCR Library team members Elisha Hankins and Sahra Missaghieh Klawitter were the closing speakers at the 2016 Access Services Conference.

Their presentation title was: It’s The Finals Countdown – Finals Week Stress Relief Programming at the UCR Library. The 2016 Access Services Conference theme was “Unlocking the 21^st Century Library.”

Both Sahra and Elisha wanted to share the idea of Finals Week Stress Relief with fellow Access Services professionals, in hope that more universities would be inspired to add similar programming to serve their campus communities. “We had attendees flock to the front after our time was up to get more information and to thank us for presenting,” Elisha said.

“People said they were empowered, inspired, and excited to try out some of our events. They said that we provided not just variety of ideas, but that we pointed out tangible resources that could be used and explored on their own campuses,” she continued. “I think people could see the passion we have for our students and the programming we provide.”

Finals Week Stress Relief had its humble beginnings back in fall quarter 2012 when the Access Services Department had an idea to start a study break corner to create a place of respite from the stress that students experience during finals week. “Both Sahra and I were students that transitioned to staff,” Elisha explained. “We are UCR alumni and we both know intimately the struggles of students. We both have played the role of ‘student supervisors.’ We want to help our students carry their sometimes unbearable burdens.”

Over time, the program has increased both in popularity and in scale. It’s now greatly anticipated by the UC Riverside community. “It’s been rewarding to watch the FWSR events grow and blossom!” Elisha said. “Over the years, we’ve heard the students rave about our events. It’s even highlighted through UCR Tours – to promote UCR. These type of results are not just tangible but fulfilling on a human level.”

Some events, such as the Therapy Dogs with The Well and Massage Therapy + Stress Busters with Active Minds, have consistently yielded a massive turnout. Events with free food also draw large crowds, such as “Finals Are Nacho Problem” on December 1. Library staff handed out more than 450 servings of nachos at Rivera and Orbach libraries. Last Spring, the “Monday Sundae Funday” event was also quite popular with students.

The inspiration behind the first Finals Week Stress Relief program was to find a creative approach to nurturing UCR students by creating a relaxing and stress-free environment in the library during finals week each quarter. By winter quarter 2013, other departments on campus expressed interest in collaboration, including the Academic Resource Center, which now partners with the library on the Study Jam event. “We stressed that it is not a one-man show,” Elisha said of their presentation. “You need a team committed to excellence and to a shared vision of wanting to help their student population.”

Each quarter, the Finals Week Stress Relief program features a series of activities including Surprise Snack Giveaway with Scotty the Bear, Cookie Break with the Chancellor and University Librarian, and many more, all offered free of charge to UCR students.

View Sahra’s and Elisha’s Presentation (Prezi). 

View their “Finals Countdown” Video.