By Brandon Cortés
Features Editor
Inside the Psychology Library in Engleman Hall Room D055A, tables lined with coloring sheets, paintbrushes and small orange pumpkins gave students a creative way to take a break from their midterm workloads.
Psychology major, Heather Rae Gaydowen, senior and president of psychology club said that every time around midterms, psychology club likes to do something to help people.
“We know stress levels are high right now, so we wanted to give students a space to relax, regulate their emotions and have a little fun before going back to studying,” said Gaydowen.
The Squash the Stress event, hosted by Psi Chi and psychology club, aimed to help students decompress through hands-on activities and a sense of community.
The event, held every fall around midterms, combines fun with psychology-based approaches to stress relief.
This semester, students painted pumpkins and colored designs while music played softly in the background. Snacks were also available, creating a relaxed environment that contrasted the usual mid-semester rush.
The organizers said that while Squash the Stress has been held before, this was the first time it featured an arts and crafts approach. In previous years, the club hosted presentations and discussions on stress management.
“We do a mix of social events and informational ones,” said psychology major, Eily Smith, junior and vice president of the club. “Our next two events will focus on graduate school applications, but this one was designed for everyone — not just psychology majors. We wanted something laid back for people who might be overwhelmed by midterms.”
By blending relaxation with peer connection, the event also highlighted the psychology club’s mission to support students both academically and emotionally. Gaydowen said that while research based discussions are valuable, sometimes what students need most is a casual space to unwind and connect with others.
“Even something as simple as painting or coloring can be therapeutic,” Gaydowen said. “It lets your brain take a break from constant studying and gives you a creative outlet.”
Students filtered in and out throughout the afternoon, chatting with friends and painting plastic pumpkins with bright colors and encouraging words. Some participants wrote positive affirmations or reminders on their creations before taking them home.
Smith said she was pleased with the turnout and hopes events like this remind students that mental health and community go hand in hand.
“It’s really important to have moments like this,” Smith said. “College can be stressful, but when you can laugh, paint and just exist with other people for an hour, it makes a big difference.”
Looking ahead, both leaders said psychology club plan to keep hosting events that combine fun with mental health awareness. The next few months will bring workshops focused on graduate school readiness and professional development, but Gaydowen said she hopes to keep balancing those with more casual, inclusive gatherings open to all students.
For her and Smith, that mission defines the purpose of the psychology club: creating a welcoming environment where students can support one another, learn meaningful coping strategies.
Whether it is through workshops, guest speakers or simple stress-free activities, they want students to know that help — and a friendly space — are always nearby.
“We all need breaks,” Gaydowen said. “Sometimes taking an hour to paint a pumpkin is exactly what your brain needs.”
