As classes have begun to wind down, the course work unfortunately has not.
As a way to cope with the ongoing stress of busy schedules and course loads, the Asian, Pacific Islander, & Desi American, Program (APIDA) decided to create a journaling event for students.
The event took place from 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16 in the Student Union Conference Center. There were tables covered with stickers, newspapers and magazines with blank notebooks that students could customize.
The event was planned as a way to celebrate the upcoming Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander month in May.
Shwe Yee (Abigail) Thinn, the event coordinator and a MESA student, got the idea from an interest she had.
“I got an idea about planning an APIDA event at the beginning of the semester and brought it up to MESA and Abbey suggested doing an APIDA Event.” Said Thinn.
The event was also sponsored by APIDA with help from Abbey Duldulao, Administrative Assistant for Math and MESA and advisor for Kapwa Club.
“It’s Abigail’s passion, mindfulness is really important as students go through so much pressure and struggles and just need that time to not even talk about school,” said Duldulao. “It’s a good start to express themselves through journaling and be really creative and in a fun way with stickers and cultures and tie in all the different cultures.”
A student that attended the event was Nada Gheit, who said, “I think it’s absolutely amazing and it’s really de-stressing and it takes my mind off of school” said Gheit. “I definitely wish I could do this once a week.”
James Gnatt also participated in the journaling event and said that his favorite thing to do was chat and draw.
“I think it’s really fun and feels very cutesy, very demure, very mindful,” said Kat Pangilinan, another student who participated. “I’m having a really good time. I haven’t felt creative in a while. I feel very calm and present right now and I feel like this event is doing what it’s supposed to.”
The event also featured free Panda Express, which drew many students in and brought attention to the large decorating tables.
The event ended with a turn out of around 80 students attending and participating, and was a successful turn out for the APIDA.
