As the fall 2017 semester is coming to an end,
students are buckling down while finding fun ways to de-stress before final
exams arrive.
Whether it's melodically engaging his audience, presenting classic
card tricks or simply finding an excuse to take a break from studying to have a
good time, one MTSU sophomore can do it all.
Families and students were invited to participate in a highly interactive
magic show Nov. 16 in the Keathley University Center Theater to discover a few
magical wonders with MTSU Student Ambassador Austin Ford.
Sponsored by MTSU's Student
Programming and Raider Entertainment, also
known as MT SPARE, the show not only
gave the Georgia native a chance to sneak away from the books for a moment, but
also to present a “wow” experience to a crowd of excited spectators for free.
"A buddy of mine who was a mentor to me was a fan of magic and showed
me the basics in high school," said the Department of Recording Industry major. "I
fell in love with it and took off from there."
No worries if you missed the first show as Ford will be giving an
encore performance at 7 p.m. Thursday,
Nov. 30, in the same location.
Ford, who has practiced magic since he was 15, said sometimes the stresses
of studying and making sure his grades are in tip-top shape can encourage
students like him to dive into extracurricular activities during their time in
college.
“It's a
mixed bag — it's difficult work to do it well, but I enjoy it immensely,"
he said.
And the amateur magician doesn't have plans to stop doing what he
loves anytime soon. His show features a variety of card tricks, sleights of
hand and even some piano playing as part of the entertainment.
"I
want to keep doing what I'm doing now — magic and music,” he said. “It's a very
relaxed, satisfied exhaustion."
A break from pre-final jitters is always something to look forward
to, said MTSU staff member Lisa Schrader,
who shared some tips on how to avoid being overwhelmed.
"Find time to do things you enjoy with doing whatever your
hobby is — give yourself permission to do that,” said Schrader, director of MTSU
Health Promotion in Student Health Services.
She even provided some advice if you feel yourself panicking while
taking a test.
"I would recommend deep breathing and taking a moment at your
desk to breathe in slowly, hold it, and exhale … do that for a few cycles so
you begin focusing on the breathing and not what your stressor is in that
moment," she said.
MT SPARE also holds an event titled “Exam Jam” that will begin at 9
p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at McCallie Dining Hall behind Corlew Hall. It’s a way
for students to relax and enjoy tasty breakfast foods and games before final
exams.
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