Often the sensation of impending doom seems like a prerequisite of finals week for any university student. Everything you’ve spent learning for the past four months gets compacted into one final stretch before we can pull ourselves over the finish line that marks the end of the semester.
Finals are the penultimate in academics for making or breaking an individual’s professional and academic plan; even on paper that sounds stressful.
SMSU’s Deann Griebel Student Success Center, with the support many offices, departments, and student-led clubs/organizations on campus, have spearheaded a solution designed to prepare students for finals, assist with stress relief, and celebrating the end of the academic year; SMSU’S ‘Finish Strong’ Week. From Monday April 28th to Friday May 2nd.
There will be several games and social events taking place open for all students who find themselves in need of some mental and emotional relief. A detailed list of events, their details, and their sponsors continues below; a brief overview of finish strong week can also be found online.
To Keep in Mind: If you can’t make it to any of the events listed below, Barnes and Noble is hosting a week-long daily event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Chill, Play, and WIN, to keep morale boosted and motivation fresh throughout the stressful test time.
If going out isn’t your style, the Deann Griebel Student Success Center has your back with goody bags built to last finals week.
Monday:
Raise your pinkies on Monday April 28 in preparation of Tea up for Finals Week; SMSU partners with Southwest Nutrition to offer free tea to the first 20 students who can complete their 2-step engagement checklist; First and foremost, follow both the Deann Griebel Student Success Center (@smsusuccess) and Southwest Nutrition (@southwestnutrition) on Instagram. Then tag two of your friends in the comments of the latest post on either account- once accomplished, go to the first floor of the BA/CH Link for your free tea.
When you’re in college, free is key; and free tea is an enticing treat to boost your mood, and your mind. Not a fan of tea? The Student Activities Committee (SAC) for SMSU is hosting an event on the sharper end of the recreational spectrum. From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., bring your student ID to Wings Axe— located at 100 W College Dr Suite #101 Marshall MN— for two hours of free axe throwing.
Tuesday:
Health plays a crucial role in academic performance, and under a mountain of coursework, it tends to be neglected. Get back on track with Tuesday’s Be Happy, Be Healthy Education series; available on Eventbrite free and attend their online program from 9AM to 10AM this Tuesday. It offers health-management advice sourced from the Health and Wellness Friendly Communities lab; a voluntary research collaborative based in Canada.
Speaking of advice, if you feel like you received some outstanding help to get to where you are from the faculty and staff at SMSU, be sure to let them know it. In the lower Student Center between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. there is Thank a Mustang: in honor of National Teacher Appreciation Day (May 6th), the Deeann Griebel Student Success Center hosts the opportunity to write a personal note of thanks to anyone on the SMSU staff you feel really helped you this semester.
And since you’ve come so far, it’s deserved to do a little dance. Catch that opportunity at the black box theatre FA 112 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and take in the atmosphere of the Rhythm and Dance fundamentals class, presented by the skilled students in the course. Professor Sheila Tabaka and Professor Frankie Blitz host the event and provide the sound system ready to play your music at a moment’s notice.
After such intense exercise, stretch out your muscles and release some of that test-taking tension in a session of Glow Yoga: It’s like Yoga, but glowing. Glow sticks and glow bling is offered for when you’re trying to do cat pose. This event is hosted by SAC in the lower Conference Center from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and is a judgement-free space.
If you need to be getting pumped up. From 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Tuesday, SMSU Intramurals is hosting an open gym. Bring your ID and a friend. Sports equipment for games including pickle ball, basketball, soccer, football, and volleyballs will all be available to rent.
Wednesday:
The half-way point. Whether you spent last night dancing, studying, or yoga-ing; nothing starts the morning off like a nice canvas of coffee. SAC hosts a Paint n’ Sip from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the upper Conference Center, where you will learn from artist and instructor Margaret on how to capture the essence of caffeine by using coffee as a painting medium. It should be known that there will also be coffee available for drinking from the SMSU coffee bar; it is encouraged that you keep track of which coffee is which.
In the vein of edible art, RevelEleven brings author Willi Galloway to campus to discuss with us her new book ‘Grow Cook Eat: A Food Lover’s Guide to Vegetable Gardening’, and acts as a guide into the art of gardening. From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. you’ll be getting to the root of the subject learn about the cycles and methods of personal agricultural development, differentiating the delicious and not-so-delicious plant anatomy, and planting a seed of curiosity in the minds of students that can grow into a ripe passion for horticulture.
At 7 p.m. Wednesday, swap out your note cards with bingo cards; try your luck in the semester’s final game of Bingo in the lower conference center, going until 9 p.m. Bring your friends, win prizes and bragging rights, above all; you can bet that it’s going to be a good time.
Thursday:
Join Professor Sheila Tabaka on Thursday 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. to create and bring home a Gnome from the SMSU Costume shop, located in FA 104. You’re invited to relax and get creative while you make your own garden guardian to bring home; your trophy for surviving the 2025 Spring semester.
If you’re not a fan of memorabilia and are looking instead for memorable experiences, you don’t want to miss the launch time for ‘Laser Rock;’ a show featuring musical hits from both the supernovas of the eighties and the revolutionary stars of the 21st century. Gaze in awe at a stunning laser-light show set to some blood-pumping beats from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the SMSU planetarium. (SM 108) Cool down afterward with liquid Nitrogen ice cream courtesy of the chemistry club.
If you’re trying to keep the party going, dance at the headphone disco next Thursday at 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. with SAC in the lower conference center. Put on a pair of headphones and sweat out that weeknight disco fever.
Friday:
You’ve reached the peak of finals week, and it’s time to treat yourself. SAC invites students to the BA/CH Link to personalize your own donut on Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Decorate it with frosting and sprinkles to your heart and tastebud’s desire.
Work out that energy later on with Professor Sheila Tabaka on SMSU’s beautiful nature trails during a nature walk, taking in the splendor of spring on campus. Students interested in participating should meet at the entrance of the ADM Nature Reserve by 12:45 p.m., to ensure you don’t miss a leg of this trek.
Freshman or senior, local or global, all mustangs are invited to participate and play from April 28th to May 2nd and ensure that at the end of this semester, you’re Finishing strong.
