Troy, N.Y. — It’s official! Classes are over for the fall semester. As students around the nation hunker down for final exams, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has kicked off a series of events and study programs to help students de-stress during the final exam reading days December 8-9.  

The “Late Night Breakfast” (in its fourth year) will be held from 9 to 10:30 p.m. on the Rensselaer campus in the Commons Dining Room.

Students will have an opportunity to sample a menu that features a variety of choices and all-time breakfast favorites, including made-to-order omelets, scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon, sausage, French toast and waffles with toppings, breakfast pizzas, a fresh fruit bar with yogurt and granola, and fresh homemade baked offerings. Last year, the event drew more than 1,000 students.

To make the event more festive, WRPI, the student-run radio station, will be on hand to play music. The event also will feature a pajama contest, and a host of other activities. The “Late Night Breakfast” is hosted by Hospitality Services at Rensselaer. To support the event, several members of the campus, including administration, faculty, and staff volunteers, will help to serve the students. 

Beyond the breakfast event, several resident assistants will host a series of “Finals Food Breaks” in the residence halls to make sure that residents take time out to recharge, socialize, and relax before hitting the books again. 

Additional programs include the long-standing “Study Days @ the Heffner Alumni House,” coordinated by Rensselaer Red & White Student Organization. The event is held at the Heffner Alumni House on campus. During the study days, Advising Learning Assistance Tutors and Math Mentors will be available to help students. Over the years, at peak times, more than 600 students have taken advantage of the program.

This year, the Mueller Center again oiffered its series of “Stress Relief Days” activities. Sample activities include a range of free fitness classes (zumba, yoga, cardio kickboxing, pro boxing, high-intensity interval training, and core and toning), free chair massages, and biofeedback and relaxation sessions. To further help with stress relief, students will be able to make their own smoothies or try their hands at various DIY crafts. For more information about the Mueller Center offerings, visit: https://www.facebook.com/muellercenter.

Prior to the end of classes, a registered dietician from Hospitality Services hosted an information session on “Brain Food,” to help students think about the importance of eating healthy during finals, as well as tips on foods to eat than can increase memory and concentration.