Student Government Association Helps Atlantic Cape Students Destress During Finals Week

MAYS LANDING — For college students of all ages, cramming for midterms and final exams can be a time filled with lots of coffee and countless hours of studying.

As a way to help students relax before and after their big semester-ending assessments, Atlantic Cape Community College’s Student Government Association (SGA) held “Destress December” as a way to celebrate the Christmas holiday season and make final exam week less stressful by offering days full of fun activities and free food for students at all three campuses.

“The SGA started it (Food 4 Finals) around 2008 as a way for the students to have some nourishment in the morning before they go to their final exams,” Student Engagement Manager Lisa Givens said. “Destress December is a way for the students to wind down the semester, chill, feel good and relax.”

The festivities began at the Worthington Atlantic City campus on December 6-7 with their “Destress December/Food 4 Finals” event, which included bananas, apples, trail mix packets and bottles of water for the students, who were also provided with a relaxing coloring station and mental health journal notebooks, according to Cynthia Correa, director of Worthington campus’ Student Affairs and One-Stop Service.

On December 8, the Mays Landing campus held “Snow Worries” where students could purchase crafts from a vendor, show off their ugly Christmas sweaters, concoct their very own hot chocolate drinks and snack on Christmas cookies while relaxing with friends, watching holiday movies and playing games. During final exam week from December 12-15, the SGA also hosted “Food 4 Finals” in the Student Center lobby where students enjoyed a breakfast complete with donuts, bagels, coffee and juice.

Health Sciences major Alexander Aguilar (right), a freshman from Hammonton, was enjoying a breakfast snack after just completing her Sociology final exam. Aguilar appreciated the sentiment afforded to students, such as herself, by the SGA because it allowed her to take a breather before heading off to her remaining final exams.

Business major Ariel McIntosh-Ward (left), a freshman from Galloway, was enjoying the free food and basking in the Christmas spirit and festive music as she helped herself to a donut prior to her English final exam.

The SGA also had student officers present throughout the Student Center at various times to provide encouragement to their fellow students, who are advised to reach out to Student Engagement during the school year if they need help with their classes or have ideas and suggestions.

Another great way to relax is with a furry companion. Two therapy dogs, six-year-old “Wolcott” from Crisis Response Canines and 13-month-old “King” from People and Puppies at Work for Sight, were on-hand for belly rubs and oodles of fawning from students in the lobby of the Student Center on December 13.

Cape May’s Student Success team also hosted its “Relax, Refresh and Recharge Craft Fair” at the Cape May campus the week of December 12-15.

Visit atlanticcape.edu/sga for more information on Atlantic Cape’s Student Government Association.

About Atlantic Cape Community College

Atlantic Cape is a comprehensive two-year community college serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. The college offers over 40 career, transfer and workforce development programs to more than 8,000 students annually at three campuses in New Jersey: Atlantic City, Cape May Court House and Mays Landing.