Shelbie Harris

Staff Writer

Some of Idaho State University’s students are beginning to gear up for the ever dreadful dead week by creating stress-relief events for their peers..

“I tell you, with finals it’s pretty empty around campus, and pretty much just dead with everyone in their own place studying away,” said Alonzo Lemus, Union Program Council director.

“You start to create this dread before finals and our goal for the Dead Week Relief event is to let students know they’re going to make it,” Lemus continued.

With all the late night studying, early morning cram sessions, and all the stress in between, it’s easy for a student to become overwhelmed right before the final exams for the semester.

As in previous years, the UPC here at ISU is here to help students shed a layer of unnecessary stress this dead week by organizing a week full of fun, relaxing festivities accompanied by great food entirely free to students.

Dead Week Relief was originally put on for students by faculty and staff members prior to the conception of UPC in 2010.

The UPC now handles the events, as it is beneficial to students to have the events developed and coordinated by fellow students who fully understand the stress level of the week.

“Dead Week Relief has been a tradition every year,” said Lemus. “It’s a way to try and get students a little more relaxed, creating this ‘relief’ for the students before the crazy finals come in.”

UPC kicks off the dead week events on Tuesday, April 29, at noon featuring a concert performance on the Quad near the Hypostyle by the local band Hot Pursuit.

That will be followed by a tie-dye session.

The first 50 participants will receive a free shirt to participate.

While taking in the relaxing, jazz-style tunes offered by some of Pocatello’s local talent, be sure to grab a completely free sub-style sandwich, courtesy of UPC.

As the stress builds and one day seems to roll right into the next, its possible many students have contemplated breaking the first thing they can get their cramped and tired fingers onto.

What better way to relieve stress than to harness everything built up over the semester and release it all with a series of events dedicated to helping students gain back some of their sanity before finals week?

At noon on Wednesday, April 30, the Dead Week Relief events will begin with a human hamster ball session on the Quad.

Afterward will be a balloon painting session.

Immediately following that will be a car smashing event.

Be sure to attend this event if interested in releasing some steam and eating free corndogs.

There will also be a chance to take home some free sunglasses and many other prizes.

The final day of free food and events slated for this year’s Dead Week Relief will start at noon Thursday, May 1.

The event will consist of homemade country-style breakfast burritos and free massages provided to students.

When it comes to dead week and finals week, stress relief is an important factor for student success.

However, feeling great and confident in yourself is equally important.

“During Dead Week Relief, we’ve always, in addition to telling students about the free food and events offered, liked to hand out supportive statements to the students, you know, ‘I hope you do good,’ or, ‘Go get ‘em,’ said Lemus.

“By increasing the positive student relationships, it creates that support group necessary to student success,” he continued.

All events for dead-week relief begin at noon daily, from Tuesday the 29th through Thursday, May 1.

The events are completely free for students.