Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA) is introducing a new exam welfare scheme, which includes a puppy room where stressed-out students can calm their pre-exam nerves by visiting the puppies.

Emma Carlén, President for Societies and Student Activities at AUSA has been working together with the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association to bring puppies to the university campus.  Emma said:

“The puppy room initiative was first thought of after we received a huge amount of positive feedback from students regarding a similar initiative at a Canadian university last year. We have partnered up with Guide Dogs Scotland who will be bringing in some of their puppies in training, and there will also be an opportunity to donate to the charity.”

“I am really looking forward to seeing the initiative in place at the University of Aberdeen, and by the looks of our social media outlets it seems the students are just as excited as we are. Four dates have been planned during the peak study period this year, on May 13, 17, 21 and 23.”

Josefine Björkqvist, President for Education & Employability at AUSA has been leading on other exam welfare initiatives including giving out free exam welfare packs to students.  Josefine said:

“Students can spend whole days studying in the library during the lead up to exams so we give out free water bottles, fruit, snack bars, muffins and study tips to keep them going. We encourage students to look after their mental and physical health, especially around the more stressful times of the year such as exam time.”

AUSA has also been working together with the University’s Sport & Exercise Team on the Healthy Body Healthy Mind Award Scheme.  The scheme was launched in 2010 by NUS Scotland and Scottish Student Sport to promote the link between exercise and mental wellbeing.  Gillian Kerr, University of Aberdeen Sport and Exercise Team, said:

“We plan to deliver a full week of activities during exam revision week. This week will consist of 500 exam stress packs being handed out, smoothie and apple give aways, onsite-massage at the new library, yoga taster sessions and will finish on the Friday with a health walk, passing through our local park and ending at Aberdeen beach with breath taking views over the North Sea.  The Healthy Body Healthy Mind Campaign has been a great way for us to bring together the workings of the Sport and Exercise Team and the Students’ Association. With student welfare being the main agenda we have enjoyed working together to help our students get active and stay healthy during their studies.  By creating awareness that everyone has mental health, sometimes good and sometimes bad, we hope to break the stigma surrounding the issue, and ensure everyone knows where to go for some help when times are tough, be it family, friends or the university services.”

For more information contact:

Emma Carlén, pres.societies@abdn.ac.uk, 07733583215

Josefine Björkqvist, pres.education@abdn.ac.uk, 01224 272979

Gillian Kerr, g.kerr@abdn.ac.uk, 01224 438948