By: Kianna Flowers
Social support gained through a healthy social life is an effective way to reduce stress in individuals by allowing them to have someone to rely on when college life becomes overwhelming. Many college students can find that active socialization blocks the physiological responses that stress can bring on but fail to find ways to fulfill that need .
A new university policy will be implemented starting Spring 2020 in which Free Hour would encompass everyday of the week to allow students more time to engage in active socialization and non-academic time. There will also be various social events allotted during that hour throughout the week. UMBC hopes to see a behavior change where social life is included more often in a student’s daily life activities by allowing more opportunities for non-academic activities through the expansion of this program.
UMBC students are encouraged to take advantage of these extra time periods in the week where no classes are scheduled to become more socially involved in any way they please.
What is Free Hour currently?
A UMBC initiative that allocates an hour (12-1pm) block on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays where no classes are scheduled.
Current Benefits: Used for club GBMs, chatting with friends, sports/extracurricular practices
Current Limitations: Not scheduled enough times in the week; commuters often leave early or cannot use it as often due to lack of time or nothing to do during that time slot
Brand New Changes
Expansion from M/W/F to M-F during the same 12-1pm period
New SEB programs! Student Events Board will be offering weekly social events where you can come out and meet new people via games, cooking, discussion groups, and art related activities that suit your interests.
During the 1st two weeks, SEB will host daily events and from there on 2-3 times a week.
More networking opportunities: meet those in your major or career field of interest!
Why does it matter?
While it mostly pertains to freshman, transfers, and commuters, it can apply to all UMBC students who wish to better the social aspects of their life.
Social support gained through a healthy social life is an effective way to reduce stress by allowing you to have someone to rely on when college life becomes overwhelming.
Decrease your workload and accumulative stress, allowing time away from the fast-paced university lecture and discussion lifestyle.
Help in shaping UMBC into a school that fosters community rather than all work and no play.
WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK!
As this new program takes place, UMBC would appreciate your opinion about its effectiveness so that we may address any questions or comments you may have and continue to improve.
There will be a survey issued a week before implementation and a few months afterwards (you will be entered into a prize raffle for participating). It will function as a social life questionaire to collect information about activities that currently make up your social life, what extracurriculars you are a part of, and how many hours per week you spend socializing with friends or significant others.
Stress and Social Life 