UMD Students Create Tiny Study Buddies Ahead of Finals

'Make and Take' Air Clay Creations Just One of Many Activities During Stressless Week

DULUTH, Minn. — Finals season is fast approaching at UMD and the Kathryn A. Martin Library is once again holding Stressless Week for students.

In the lead up to final exams, the library is looking to help students reduce stress and take a break. Tuesday afternoon, it partnered with the Graduate Student Association to hold a ‘Make and Take’ Study Buddy event. Students were invited to use air dry clay and either follow a guide or make a creature of their own imagination. Chelsey Miller, Co-Chair of the Library Events Committee, said the event is new to Stressless Week, all thanks to student feedback.

“We take that very seriously,” Miller said. “The money that is spent for Stressless Week actually comes from Student Service fees, so truly the students are providing this for themselves.”

“It’s just, we’re kind of the catalyst to make that happen. So like I said, one of the bits of feedback that we’ve received a lot of times in passing is just that they don’t have time.”

This finals season, the library is focusing on what they call ‘passive events.’ Students can drop-in when it works for them, between classes and studying. In addition to creating study buddies, students can relax by coloring, building with Legos, solving puzzles, and more!