CAP Honors event helps students "stress bust" before finals

The Capital Scholars Honor Peer Mentoring Program at UIS helped students take a break before finals during its annual “Stress Busters” event on Thursday, December 10, 2009.

Students got the chance to make stress balls, play card games, paint, and play bags and water pong during the end of the semester celebration in the Lincoln Residents Hall great room.

“Right now is a good time to have it with the finals coming up. I don’t know how I would have done it otherwise,” said Chris Crockett, sophomore biology major.

“Stress Busters” is also a time for junior and senior peer mentors to connect with freshman students who are about to take their finals for the first time.

“I just felt after last year that I wanted to start giving back to the freshmen. Things that it took me awhile to learn, things I’d like to help them transition to college with,” said Brett Walker, senior CAP Honors peer mentor.

Other peer mentoring events focus on helping students with class, financial aid and adjusting to college life.

“This is our most looked forward to event,” said Mike Czarny, junior CAP Honors peer mentor.

Students were also treated to a variety of free food from cookies to a chocolate fountain.

“I think it’s really great to get everyone’s mind off of school and stuff. We came straight from lab and hurried over here because we were really excited about it,” said Jessalyn Fontana, freshman biology major.