The holiday season can be stressful, especially for post-secondary students.
It’s crunch time for Lakehead University students in Orillia. Classes end Dec. 3 and exams start three days later.
The university gave its students a break Wednesday, inviting them to take part in Festivus, which is a fictitious secular holiday popularized on the television show Seinfeld in the 1990s.
Lakehead's Festivus started at noon, with some ugly-sweater-themed fun at The Roller Skating Place.
“It’s fun to come out here and de-stress for a bit and go back with a fresh mind,” said Kresson Taylor, a third-year concurrent education student. “Lakehead does a good job of making sure there are options for people to de-stress.”
Lauren Oke also felt it was worth it to forget about academics for a few hours.
“We’re coming up to finals, so it’s pretty stressful,” said the third-year social work student. “It’s a fun way to spend time with friends, and it’s all free.”
After roller-skating, the students were invited back to the campus to make their own ornaments and ugly sweaters and enjoy a chili dinner.
Lakehead offers its Festivus activities annually to give students a “nice little break,” said student affairs assistant Bree Crowder.
“It’s nice to see the students have some relaxation time before exams,” she said. “It’s a few hours. They’re not having to give up the whole day.”
Exams at Lakehead run from Dec. 6-16.
