Information Services supports Student project on study stress.
Information Services was approached by Katariina Leinonen, a 3rd year BA (Hons) Photography student asking if she could display some posters in Merchiston Library Zone 1. Her project involved exploring how photographs can engage fellow students who may be feeling stressed and overwhelmed by their studies.
Katariina hoped the images would encourage students to re-assess their approach to studying by suggesting different ways of working. For example taking a step-back and exploring new study skills, looking at time management and displacement activities could all be beneficial.
After the initial approach from Katariina, Information Services’ Lyn Gibson met with Katariina to discuss the content of the photographs, where the best place to display them would be and how she intended to engage with students. We also wanted to know how long she would leave the photographs in place for.
Katariina displayed 3 sets of 3 posters with a small piece about the project. She asked students to contact her by e-mail should they wish to talk about the project or their difficulties. She would also be in the vicinity so that she could talk to students who were looking at them. She decided against providing links to the Institutional webpages where advice about study skills and stress can be found merely mentioning that such advice is available. Her intention was to display them for 3-4 days. The subject of the photos were children’s toys – trying to get across the impossibility of trying to put a square peg in a round hole.
It was decided to display one set of posters on the wall beside the MFD’s, one set on the pillars beside the student computers and another set on the side of the green study pod facing the entrance.
Katariina interviewed 12 people none of whom had noticed the posters before having them pointed out. Once they had been the reaction was very positive - it was felt the interviewees understood the aims of the project and could relate to the ideas in the posters.
Library staff had noticed people looking at the posters- particularly the ones on the pod. The posters on the walls and pillars seem to have been unnoticed which Katariina felt was down to the fact that these areas were more conventional display areas so it was easy to walk past and not notice what was there.
Although the expectation was to reach more people Katariina got good feedback from those she interviewed and learnt from the experience.