George Washington University senior Angelica Melo bent over a large chalk drawing on H Street NW between 21st and 22nd streets Wednesday afternoon.
Before standing upright to observe her work better, she filled in the final shades of color on the cartoonish picture of a scared girl looking up at a larger-than-life exam packet, marked with a sinister face and a large red “F.”
“I was inspired by my own test anxiety and final exam week coming up,” said Ms. Melo, a fine arts major in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. “It felt really appropriate to draw out my feelings because it kind of takes away from the fear—it changes my perspective.”
Ms. Melo joined hundreds of GW students who gathered on Kogan Plaza for the 35th annual Chalk-In to sketch messages of encouragement, doodle jokes and offer support to their fellow classmates preparing for exams.
GW Chemistry Department made its annual showing, drawing a super-sized periodic table.
Students made crafts, played corn hole, blew bubbles, drank lemonade and learned tips on relieving stress—courtesy of event sponsors GW Program Board, the Colonial Health Center (CHC) and Administration and Hallmark Programs.
The event was the second in a series planned for GW’s “Treat Yourself” week, April 27 to May 6.
Events like Chalk-In are helpful because the end of the academic year can be a stressful time for students, especially when the focus on academics comes at the expense of self-care, according to Sarah Harte, assistant director of outreach and prevention at CHC Mental Health Services (MHS).
For example, students sometimes stop eating regularly, sleep too little, forego exercise and isolate themselves in pursuit of academic success, but these approaches are self-sabotaging, she said.
“We all have ways to cope and this is a simple reminder to students that they have the resources within themselves,” Ms. Harte said, referring to a “stress-wheel” game at the fair that prompted students to recall simple ways to ease anxiety, from listening to a favorite song or recalling a positive memory.
Five university organizations and departments partnered to offer relaxing study breaks during “Treat Yourself” week. Activities range from sending hopeful greetings to veterans, military service members and their families on May 1 with the Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service to making a stuffed animal “study buddy” May 3 with GW Program Board.
Events will culminate May 5 with the Buff and Blue Bliss event at the Colonial Health Center, which will include aromatherapy and de-stressing activities such as coloring and Play-Doh.
Sophomores Mia Harvey and Katie Collins, who spent a semester studying at GW as international exchange students, work on their rendition of England's flag.
“Students need to remember to leave room for down time,” said Alexis Janda, associate director of Health Promotion and Prevention Services. “Our bodies require a break from studying every now and then, so they can process the information we are studying and store it.”
She added that students who feel overwhelmed can reach out to CHC MHS. Walk-in hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday on the Foggy Bottom Campus and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday on the Mount Vernon Campus.
“MHS also provides 24/7 telephone support for students in distress,” Ms. Janda said. “Call 202-994-5300 and follow the prompts and you will be connected with a counselor immediately.”
Among the drawings at Chalk-In was a detailed color profile sketch of university namesake George Washington drawn by Syed Nabeel Osman, a George Washington University Hospital international fellow. Other participants wrote inspiring and funny messages, such as a Beyoncé-inspired “Ten Commandments” that called for us all to first “be flawless.”
"I am a doctor first, but I love to draw," said Syed Nabeel Osman, a George Washington University Hospital international fellow.
“Art and artistic expression are a really important part of relieving stress,” said junior Nicole Martin, arts chair of GW Program Board.
A large British flag was the handiwork of sophomores Mia Harvey and Katie Collins, who spent a semester studying at GW as international exchange students. They said the drawing was a way to leave their mark before returning to England.
“The GW experience has been amazing—we don’t want to leave,” Ms. Harvey said.
GWPB encouraged students to submit their best chalk drawing via Twitter with the tag “#chalkitout” for a chance to win a prize.
Visit Administration and Hallmark Program for a full list of "Treat Yourself" events.