While the week leading up to finals week is often known to be the longest and most stressful week of the semester, UW is working hard to provide students with numerous wellness opportunities through Coechella, a wellness and de-stress fest.
“It’s a great opportunity for students to step out of their study routine and take a break,” said Rachel Hughes, a senior library assistant in the research and instruction department of the library.
“We try to offer fun activities to take their mind off of whatever they’re having to work on, and we also try to provide food and drinks for students so they don’t have to worry about that too,” Hughes said.
The festival is presented by UW Libraries, the UW Wellness Center, LeaRN, the UW Writing Center, ASUW, UWIN and UW Residence Life. The festival began Friday May 2, and will conclude on Monday May 12. Each day presents a variety of different activities and opportunities for students to take a break from their stressful finals preparation and take a few moments for themselves.
“It’s a way to recognize student’s hard work and what all they’re having to do throughout finals week,” Hughes said. “It’s giving them the opportunity to enjoy such a hard week and I think it offers a level of support that is really necessary during finals.”
Coechella provides students with fun and relaxing activities such as foot massage pods, different craft kits, a variety of coloring pages and much more. Events are hosted primarily in Coe Library, with others such as the zen relaxation lounge, wellness pods, massage chairs, fitness classes and puppy playdate are offered in Half Acre or the Wellness Center. Masters student Makayla Kocher shared her interest in the festival.
“We had free time so we were like, let’s come hang out and relax,” Kocher said. Kocher was joined by Katelyn Hayward and Cheyenne Hume, fellow Masters students. They each explained their favorite part of Coechella, the Worry Pets craft kit station.
“I like the worry pet station where you can take one to go or activities that you can take as a study break,” said Katelyn Hayward. “You can sit there and be like okay, I need a break. I will do this other thing instead then I’ll come for like fifteen minutes and then I’ll come back to my study.”
Cheyenne Hume works as a library intern and helped put the event together beginning in January. Hume discussed all the working parts that came together to present Coe-chella, and presented her favorite station, also the worry pets.
“I like the worry pets because that was the most fun for me to make and to think of. I think they’re just cute and I was really excited about it,” Hume said. “To me, this is more fun, maybe not always the most distressing, maybe it’s just distracting.”
Coechella serves not only as an opportunity for students to relax and de-stress but also as a display of the care the university has for its students.
“I think part of it shows that the university cares about students and is giving students opportunities to engage,” said Kocher. Hume expressed similar thoughts with input from an inside perspective as a library intern.
“I know we put a lot of care into legit thinking of what students are really like and what they need,” Hume said. “They do take the student input and they do surveys not just to have something to do. We actually go back on the surveys and check them. And I feel it’s also showing that your money is going to good use.”
Hume expressed excitement regarding the high turnout of students in Coe Library participating in the week’s events.
“I love seeing everyone in here,” Hume said. “Yeah, I’m happy with the results.”
