Take a break at York’s Fall Stress Buster Carnival

With exams fast approaching, students are feeling the crunch. They can take a break and unwind this Wednesday, Nov. 21, from noon to 5pm in the East Bear Pit/Central Square, with free massages, cotton candy, popcorn, Las Nubes coffee, carnival games and prizes.

Right: Cotton candy testers at last year’s event

Aiming to help participants escape the cold Canadian winter, this Fall’s Stress Buster Carnival will have a Hawaiian theme.

Fall Stress Buster Carnival is a day-long escape, hosted by york is U, to relieve student stress during this busy time of year. Experts from Health Ed share fun and interactive coping strategies for exam stress and anxiety. Participants receive professional chair massages, yummy cotton candy, popcorn and fair-trade coffee. Students can play carnival games to win prizes, including grand prizes, by simply completing their game cards.

Left: Massage your troubles away

“It’s a great event that reaches out to students,” said Tri Ngo, coordinator for the event. “Near exam time everyone is stressed, so there’s a high demand for this. It’s all totally free, so everybody loves it.”

In 2003 york is U launched Stress Buster Carnival in Winters Dining hall where close to 50 students came out to relax. Over the years, the annual event has grown in size and scope. Last years Stress Buster Carnival drew more than 2,000 students. The event has grown so popular that organizers have decided to hold two of them; one to close the Fall semester and the other to complete the Winter term.

For any further information, check out the york is U Web site or e-mail Victoria, york is U campus life director.