Finals week can be a stressful time for almost everybody. To help cope with this, the Gannon University Activities Programming Board is hosting Springtopia this week.
Springtopia is a week full of events right before finals.
It lets students take a break from studying and have some simple, good-natured fun.
This year, the theme is “Around the World.” Gannon will showcase different continents including North America, South America, Asia, Europe and Australia.
Sami Preston, the special events co-chair of APB, organized Springtopia for the first time this year along with Nicole McAllister, also a co-chair.
Preston had only been to a few Springtopia events before taking her position, but she says that Springtopia is a really fun week and that her position is a really fun one.
Different events that went on included the mechanical bull on Monday, and Plant Pals on Tuesday, with free food provided by APB.
On Wednesday, a rock wall will be at the Friendship Green along with European bingo in the Carnival Athletic Pavilion from 9 to 11 p.m. on Wednesday.
APB will be giving out prizes at European bingo.
Students will have the opportunity to win a MacBook, Kindle or iPod, as well as some bigger gift cards.
On top of prizes, APB will be giving out free T-shirts at the events on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Thursday, APB will offer massages in the Piano Lounge from noon to 3:30 p.m. and an oxygen bar at 4 p.m. in the Wright Room.
Friday will conclude Springtopia with a tropical island obstacle course, in conjunction with Relay for Life, and hair wraps from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the CAP field.
Preston was looking forward to climbing the rock wall as well as participating in the obstacle course and the hair wraps. McAllister, on the other hand, was looking forward to some more relaxing activities.
“I personally am not only looking forward to the massages on Thursday,” McAllister said. “I am in great need of that.
“I was also particularly looking forward to the mechanical bull that was brought to campus on Monday. I love riding mechanical bulls. I’ve ridden a few before at different fairs.”
Bridget Hovendon, a physician assistant major, did not ride the mechanical bull, but she did watch as other people braved the bull.
“It was entertaining and fun,” Hovendon said. “I got some good laughs out of it. I think it would have been better if the weather was nice, though, because more people would have probably been there.”
Hovendon said she thinks Springtopia is a good idea, but the problem with it is that if people are busy, they might not have time to take advantage of the stress-relieving activities.
At least she got a laugh in with the mechanical bull, she said.
McAllister said that with the stress of finals students need to do what they can to make time to have fun and relax.
“APB is providing the students with a perfect opportunity to take a break from studying for a few minutes and relax,” McAllister said.
“We have free T-shirts, prizes and food. Springtopia is a great week of events that students shouldn’t miss out on.”
Khadija Djellouli
