Sounds of laughter and fear poured out of the Iwasaki Library as students crafted, kicked back, and met furry friends. Animals from dogs to bunnies, a flood of rejuvenating activities, and a screening of the original Nosferatu transformed the library into one part zoo and one part spa as students looked to find relief amid finals season.
Relaxapalooza, a free, biannual event promoting relaxation during the last few weeks of each semester, returned to the Iwasaki Library last Friday. Students enjoyed therapy animals, chair massages, meditation, yoga, screenings of the 1922 Nosferatu on 16 mm film, arts and crafts, and a DIY hot cocoa bar to get in the holiday spirit.
The event gave students the chance to take a break from studying on a Friday, when many don’t have classes. Organized by the Iwasaki Library staff, the Office of Student Success, and Emerson Dining, it provided a calming, judgment-free zone for students to drown themselves in steaming hot chocolate and let their minds wander while crafting.
“I started this event ten years ago,” said Cate Schneiderman, reference coordinator at the library. “We were looking for a way to help students when they’re at their most stressed.”
Previous year’s relaxation events included the virtual “Cirque de De-Stress,” held remotely during the pandemic, and Relaxapalooza, which debuted furry creatures and therapeutic activities for the first time in Fall 2024.
Members of the Office of Student Success greeted guests at the welcome table.
“Our office is really happy to be involved,” said sophomore political communications major Jazzy Compton, who works at the Office of Student Success. “It’s really nice to have a space where we can all just relax.”
The rugs were lined with blue and red tape, guiding students to each event—red for the Nosferatu screening, crafts, and dogs, and blue for small animals and massages. The lobby area had cookies and a DIY hot chocolate bar, provided by Emerson Dining and Bon Appétit.
Therapy dogs were available for ten-minute interactions in the reading room. The dogs were featured on the Puppy Cam Livestream, courtesy of EmChannel Special Productions, which students could tune in to on YouTube. Bunnies and guinea pigs were available to play with as well.
“The best part is the joy they bring to students,” said Christina Harrington, who works in the Office of the Arts and owns the small animals.
The bunnies were kept in a fenced-off area, allowing a few students at a time to play with them.
“Students’ shoulders just drop as soon as they pick up the bunnies,” she said. “It makes it worth it.”
Across the hall from the small animals, massage therapists offered massages on a first-come, first-served basis. At the start of the event, Melanie Matson and Elisanett Martinez, from the Healing and Advocacy Collective and the Cultural Engagement Center, respectively, led two 30-minute guided yoga and meditation sessions.
Arts and crafts, including pin designing, bracelet making, and coloring, were available in the right section of the library. In the library’s central area, students played games such as Apples to Apples, Uno, and Checkers.
The event has proven helpful to students in previous years, and many students said they make a point of attending each year.
“It’s a really good event,” said sophomore business of creative enterprises major Saige LaBerge-Hynes. “I put it in my calendar.”
LaBerge-Hynes said she had to work on finals all day, but starting the day with dogs and hot chocolate is a good way to start.
“A big part of [Bon Appétit] is to be able to participate in something,” said Mariyam Quaisar, senior marketing specialist for Bon Appétit, who was there representing Emerson Dining.
Bon Appétit aims to pair food giveaways with a fun activity. Along with the hot chocolate, students were invited to spin a wheel to determine which recipe card they got. Recipes like “10-minute tiramisu” and “creamy tomato soup” were chosen because they’re “easy to do in dorm kitchens,” according to Quaisar.
The event provided a space for students to take a deep breath and connect, even just for a few minutes.
“It makes me feel like somebody cares,” said sophomore theater and performance major Madeline Niles.
