The end of the spring semester is just a couple of weeks away, which means that finals are coming up soon. It is normal to feel more stress because of testing, and it is important to find ways to deal with that stress.
The University of Tennessee offers many opportunities to take the load off of students around this time of year. For instance, the McClung Museum is hosting several events this week as a part of its “Unwind at the Museum” program. Each of these events seeks to help students “release stress” and “reconnect with the present moment.”
The first event, a meditation session hosted by Kenton Yeager, a professor in the Department of Theatre, took place Tuesday. Upcoming events include yoga sessions Wednesday, May 1, and Friday, May 3, and a quiet coloring activity Thursday, May 2.
Megan Fields, a distinguished lecturer and director of public speaking in the School of Communication Studies, will take a different approach than normal yoga on Wednesday. This session is called “chair yoga” in which students will spend about 45 minutes in a chair doing some breathing exercises along with stretching.
Alex Miller, a master’s student in the School of Information Sciences and the graduate assistant for academic programs at the McClung Museum, is the instructor for the quiet coloring activity on Thursday. This event allows students to decompress by eliminating overstimulation. Make sure to get there early to receive art supplies and noise-canceling earmuffs.
Katy Malone, the manager of education and community engagement at McClung, commented on the museum’s atmosphere and shared how it might just be the calming environment students need around this time of year.
“Getting lost in a work of art or an interesting exhibition gives you the chance to think about something new or differently,” Malone said. “Give your brain creative space to breathe.”
In addition to being a manager, Malone is also the curator of academic programs at McClung Museum. Having grown up in Georgia, she made the move to Tennessee because of her love for the arts. Malone says she is passionate about what she does and loves the fact that she can help educate students who visit the museum.
Malone was able to make the “Unwind at the Museum” events happen with the help of the McClung Museum Student Advisory Board members. This organization’s goal is to inspire students to get involved at McClung. The members are also students, so they understand the stress that may come from exams.
Another person who shares the same admiration as Malone is Emily Reichard, the communications and annual giving professional for McClung Museum. Reichard grew up in Michigan and went to Bowling Green State University. She made the move to UT for her master’s degree in 2023.
“Having the opportunity to work on campus and share that kind of environment with students and community members is truly a dream come true for me,” Reichard said.
Reichard encourages all students to stop by McClung to engage in the “Unwind at the Museum” events.
“The museum is always free,” Reichard said. “Why not take us up on free yoga and meditation before heading off campus for the summer?”
If you are unable to participate in the “Unwind at the Museum” events, it is still worth your time to stop by the McClung Museum. There is something for everyone with the multiple exhibits ranging from art galleries to the human origins exhibit featuring a variety of fossils.
