EDUCATION

Lego cure for Cambridge University exam stress

Laurence Sleator
, Michael Hennessey
The Times
Six students died at Cambridge last year, including two in one day who were suspected to have taken their own lives
Six students died at Cambridge last year, including two in one day who were suspected to have taken their own lives
ALAMY
Laurence Sleator
, Michael Hennessey
The Times

Cambridge University is offering students games of hide and seek, Lego-building and DIY nail bars in its college and department libraries to help alleviate the stress of exams.

In an effort to provide “wellbeing support”, activities such as outdoor yoga, free spider plants, adult colouring books, birdhouse decorating, crotchet, origami and rock painting are on offer to students.

The games and activities are part of the university’s attempts to improve its mental health services following the deaths of six students last year.

Lego stations are just one of the many wellbeing activities being provided at Cambridge colleges
Lego stations are just one of the many wellbeing activities being provided at Cambridge colleges

The university said the activities had proved popular and there was “good evidence to suggest that activities promote relaxation and mindfulness”. But some students said they felt they were being “mollycoddled” and that the university was performing “infantilising, easy gestures”.

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