Next week is a huge one on the student calendar as the end of this academic year gets very close and, for some, the end of their work at university. Whether it's finishing up projects before a deadline or cramming for the last exam, the next seven days will hardly be relaxing and will possibly push students to the further reaches of their stress limits.
To help combat this, the Students' Union has organised Funfair & Chill Week to get us all over the finish line. The purpose of the campaign is to educate students on how to de-stress and protect your mental wellbeing. Plus the Union will be organising different activities to help boost your mental wellbeing too.
It all starts on the Tuesday with a workshop teaching you how to creatively de-stress and boost your self-esteem.
Wednesday is Sports Day, which will give students the opportunity to get active and use their bodies, neglected by too much time sat motionless in the library.
Thursday will see the very welcome return of Nesta's Ark, who last came to Staffs during Welcome Week. Bringing a menagerie of animals with them, Nesta's Ark will be perfect for the student who needs a furry pick-me-up, rather than another mock test.
Lastly, the main event: the actual funfair. From 4pm – 9pm on the Friday a collection of everything you'd expect at a fair will appear in the car park adjacent LRV and Verve, with completely free entry. The only condition is to get on a ride you have to answer an easy question on how to keep your stress levels low, but the answers will be right next to you anyway.
Across the week, Union staff and officers will also be giving out free fruit to students as they enter exams in Stoke and Stafford. Fruit is proven to boost your mental performance, so it's the perfect snack before you go into your exam.
Students' Union vice president Tom Hope was one of the architects of Funfair & Chill and has got to see it blossom into a very exciting event.
"It all started after we analysed the data from the High Five exercise that saw over 1,600 students vote on the issues the Union should prioritise. The results were very clear – mental health is a top priority," Tom explained.
"So now we are doing further research to understand the experiences students have regarding mental health and wellbeing and what the University and Union can do to help more."
The survey closes over the Bank Holiday weekend, with the Union speedily analysing the data to then present it back to students when they attend the funfair on Friday 6 May.
"The ultimate plan is students will enjoy a funfair and hopefully de-stress in the process. But second to that students will leave the event having learnt tips on how to keep stress levels down and understanding student opinion on mental health services and what the Union is planning to do in future."
And if you're wondering where the name came from, Tom explained, it was just a random suggestion from one of the team.
"We thought, actually, it's the perfect title. It's funny but it sends the right message about what we're trying to focus on."
To find out more about the Funfair and Chill campaign, go to www.staffsunion.com/funfairandchill.