Oct 13, 2017 | Opinion |
By Kelsey Dunn – Contributing Writer
The time has come when UMF students experience stress due to crunched and overlapped deadlines, mountains of homework and hours that seem to just zoom past. Stress can be overwhelming at times and make us want to just scream and give up, but we can’t. Are there ways to relieve stress?
Some UMF students have reported their ways to relieve their stress. Benjamin Cloutier, a junior at UMF, has to juggle his academics with his two jobs.
“I am usually stressed roughly six days a week. Saturdays are what I like to call my stress day off” said Cloutier. “When I become stressed, I go outside and try to take my mind off things.”
Like Cloutier, Elina Shapiro, a UMF senior, also enjoys being outside. Shapiro has a lot on her plate this year between her internship, planning for life after graduation, academics and a social life.
“I play the banjo for an instant stress relief. I also exercise and watch comedy shows” said Shapiro.
Dr. Natasha Lekes, an Associate Professor of Psychology, revealed that “students coming to college should expect to experience stress.” Dr. Lekes noticed that many students at UMF work long hours in addition to maintaining a full-time course load. Due to all the responsibilities that students have to endure, it is natural for them to feel overwhelmed. Dr. Lekes noted that many people turn to exercise, meditation, laughing or playing when stressed. She also said that students should seek help when needed.
“Students often wait to seek help and yet there are many people willing and wanting to provide it at UMF, [such as] advisors, mental health counselors, professors and career counselors,” said Dr. Lekes.
Tessa Walsh, a junior at UMF, experiences social anxiety, which along with her schoolwork, triggers her stress. “I get stressed roughly four to five days a week. When I do get stressed, I listen to music, watch TV or I simply switch to a new activity to get my mind off things” said Walsh.
Students are not the only ones who experience stress on campus. “We need stress in our lives!” said Dr. Lekes, who also experiences stress in her daily life.
“You will likely find that the things that make your life worth living also cause you stress,” Dr. Lekes explained. “For me, that’s being a parent, a professor, a wife, a friend. Yet, I wouldn’t want to change my work or family life. Students may find that their relationships, their area of study, their work and being involved in sports brings meaning to their lives, and yet these activities likely also bring stress into their lives,” said Dr. Lekes.
To view UMF’s counseling page go to the following link: http://www2.umf.maine.edu/counseling/
Oct 1, 2017 | News |
By Lindsay Mower – Staff Reporter
Rustic Roots Farm on Route 2 in Farmington recently held a double elimination cornhole tournament with all proceeds going to growing fresh, local produce for seniors in the Farmington and Jay areas.
The event took place under a blue sky in the courtyard of Uno Mas with 12 teams competing to win the grand prize of a set of homemade cornhole boards and a gift card to Uno Mas, donated by the Mexican inspired restaurant on Front Street. The afternoon featured live music from Lauren Crosby, a recent UMF graduate from Georgetown, Maine, who played an acoustic, folksy set on the small outside stage.
Erica Emery and David Allen, partners of Rustic Roots Farm, reported that they raised close to $350, which will fund three senior farm shares for next season.
“Our goal is to expand the senior farm share program into other areas of Franklin County and include more farms who can provide produce to seniors in their area,” said Emery. “We need more senior farm shares in our area because many seniors do not have access to fresh and healthy produce on a regular basis. By pairing seniors to farms who are growing local produce in season, it is increasing access to healthy food.”
Brian Wardwell, Philosophy and Religion major who works for Rustic Roots Farm and helped put the event together, says that events like this help strike a certain festive vibe in the atmosphere of the Farmington area, which he believes can only lead to good.
“I feel that little actions like this can help to restore some faith in humanity for those they may otherwise not have it. As they say, piece of mind is priceless,” said Wardwell. “The hope is that this particular effort will help seniors by providing them with fresh, wholesome vegetables… something that’s not necessarily affordable or in abundance.”
Father Paul Dumais, the priest at St. Joseph’s and St. Rose, was generous in supporting this effort on behalf of both churches and says he’s happy to have done it. “I am grateful to Erica and the staff at Rustic Roots for the partnership that provides fresh produce for seniors in the community,” said Dumais. “I remember how important their garden was to my grandparents and know it was a loss when they were not able to continue planting and harvesting. My hope is that seniors shares would continue and grow, which provides good food and a good connection to the community.”
According to Emery, the positive reaction had by the surrounding towns in supporting these efforts has led this to become an annual event. Wardwell says he is looking forward to the proliferation of a program that has the potential to help seniors and farms alike. “Although the team turnout was a bit on the low side, we were more than happy with the success of the event. It came together pretty seamlessly, and vibes were good through and through, which is really all we can ask for,” said Wardwell.
Wardwell says that people can continue to help and support causes like this by simply showing up for these kinds of events and gatherings, as well supporting the efforts of local farmers whenever possible. He jokes that it’s always good to get to know your farmer. “The grocery shelves are a certain bet, but have out for a little adventure! More than likely you’ll expand your food possibilities, or even make some new friends in the process.”
