The Associated Student Organization (ASO) hosted a “Coloring and Cocoa” event on Thursday at the ASO building for students to spend the afternoon coloring and having hot cocoa.
The event gave students time to take a break from the hustle and bustle of classes to chill and color as a way to bring people together.
Since final exams are approaching, ASO President Gayane Zazyan created the event to allow students to block out the responsibilities of being a student for an hour. Zazyan talked about how she hopes students can ease their anxiety and how this event can help with motivation so that students don’t feel afraid to ask for help from others.
“Enjoying some time together will be helpful rather than just procrastinating,” Zazyan said.
Regardless of what people may feel about final exams, attendees could enjoy time with their friends while having hot cocoa.
“I would say asking questions and getting help from professors is a big one for me,” Zazyan said. “I would also say to use the Tutoring Center; our tutors are excellent. So it’d be good for students to get all the needed help.”
As stressful as finals can be, students colored while eating cookies and drinking beverages from the hot cocoa bar, adding marshmallows and candy canes.
Student Engagement Coordinator Lara Conrady-Wong said this event is a great way to celebrate the end of the transfer season for CSUs and UCs.
“Gayane had this great idea to have an event to celebrate transfer season being over today for some students also as we go into the stress week with ASO, and that’s for next week,” said Conrady, the ASO adviser. “I need to kick it off this way where students get to color and just kind of take a break from school for a little bit and also prepare their brains for what’s coming up for next week.”
Pierce employees also participated in Coloring and Cocoa.
Pierce Bodega intern Cedrice Webber said she heard of the event on social media and came to check it out to have fun unlocking her inner child with some coloring.
Webber also gave some tips about how to ease anxiety for the final exams.
“Something that’s helped me is to remember the bigger picture beyond the exam itself, but also what you’re striving for,” Webber said. “Re-center, take a break, understand why you’re doing this in the first place, and know that these classes or grades will not make or break me.”
ASO will hold another de-stress event on Thursday, Dec. 7, in the Multicultural Center to invite students to learn more mindfulness tips, which will happen a week before final exams.
