The exam season has officially descended across the Faculty of Music. The flow of undergraduates through the Pendlebury is steadily increasing, arms full of textbooks, manuscript paper and coffee, ready to snag a seat in the Reading Room. As stress levels rise and the demand for power sockets exponentially grows, what better time for us to christen our newly-refurbished Library Break Room.
Previously our Supervision Room, this small space just off the main entrance has been filled with new lounge furniture, blankets, our wellbeing collection puzzles, board-games, and plants, to create a comfortable space for students to take breaks, relax, and socialise. The room is open to all members of the Faculty of Music during library opening hours, and in contrast to the rest of the Pendlebury, members are welcome to use the space to hang out, eat and drink.
Having now been given a proper home, the Wellbeing Collection (developed in 2023, classmarks beginning WB) is a valuable addition to our main academic collections, providing resources on a wide range of topics that affect our students such as mental health and wellbeing, career advice, managing finances, cooking, living with neurodiversities, and research skills. Some of my favourites from the collection include:
How to clean everything: a practical, down to earth guide for anyone who doesn’t know where to start by Ann Russell (Headline, 2022) – WB.4.R1
Notes on grief by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, (4th Estate, 2022) – WB.2.A1
Generation dread: finding purpose in an age of climate crisis by Britt Way (Experiment, 2023) – WB.2.W1
Eat up! by Ruby Tandoh (Serpent’s Tail, 2018) – WB.1.T1
In addition to the refurbished space itself, we’re also excited to announce the return of our exam period wellbeing event. After the success of last year, the newly-expanded ‘Exam Term Unwind’ at the Pendlebury Library is the creation of a space that encourages students to take a breather during revision and exams.
Every Monday and Wednesday morning, beginning on the 8th May, all undergraduate and postgraduate members of the Faculty are welcome to come to the Library Break Room for refreshments and snacks, and a variety of activities such as mindfulness colouring and board games, as an opportunity to have a moment to themselves during what is otherwise an incredibly busy, stressful period of the academic year.
More importantly, we’ve done our due diligence in regards to what the best vegan-friendly biscuits are (Party Rings, Jammie Dodges and Oreos are the obvious contenders), so it’s clear that everyone’s a winner this week!
MW
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