By Deborah Moss, Nicole DeLapp and Theodore Geigle
The Scene staff
Forest Park hosted its own version of an international program called Long Night Against Procrastination this month to help students prepare for final exams.
Students studied for 25-minute intervals with breaks in between for snacks and activities such as exercise, crafts, tutoring and games.
About 50 students participated in the program from 5 to 10 p.m. April 20 in the library.
“That’s the number I was shooting for, so I was pleased with the turnout,” said Kim Hallemann, manager of Academic Success and Tutoring.
Hallemann organized the program with Campus Life and library staff.
Organizers set up 10 activity stations. One of the most popular was stress relief with therapy dogs.
Students petted and played with the five dogs, which wore vests and other accessories. They also fed them treats.
“That really brought people in,” Hallemann said.
Another activity, Bal-A-Vis-X, was a form of calisthenics that involved throwing balls in sync with other people in a group to socialize and exercise the body and mind.
Writing Center Supervisor Amanda Gallogly led a mini-workshop on the Pomodoro Study Technique. Each student got a free timer to be used for future studying.
Snacks ranged from sandwiches and veggie trays to Ted Drewes ice cream.
The Long Night Against Procrastination program started at writing centers in Germany. It had been tried on other St. Louis Community College campuses in recent years, but this was the first time at Forest Park.
Organizers considered the program so successful that they’re planning to bring it back next fall and spring.
“I want to see more in-person activities to connect students,” Hallemann said.