THUNDER BAY – Students were lined up to get their two minutes of smash time on Friday at the Engineering Student Society of Lakehead University's annual car smash.
“It's a good way to just let out that stress, ”said Marlies Ilot, president of the Engineering Student Society.
“It's something we are trying to do every year. Its just for students to let off some steam, some stress either pre-midterms or post-midterms."
Ilot picked up the sledgehammer and took her own chance to smash the car for two minutes and believes it really does help.
“I've never been to a rage room or anything, but I think this is probably about just as good as it gets. It made me feel a lot better about some of the tests I have coming up and the deadlines,” she said.
It is a great way to make everyone feel a little bit better and get them moving, Ilot said.
“It's something for students to look forward to too, in the midst of midterm week.
“It's another way to bring all the students together and get that sense of community, what Engineering Student Society is all about,” Ilot said.
Sylvester Ambpashitsi, media coordinator for Engineering Student Society, said doing this just helps to keep his mind off all of the stress of midterms.
“I did participate (last year), I actually did punch a hole in the car.”
Ambpashitsi said smashing the car also brings togetherness.
“It helps people to know that they have a team behind them in terms of Engineering that is ready to support them in any way necessary.
“For example, in this case, to help relieve stress, most people would go finish their classes and go to bed, wake up the next day in this cycle. But stuff like this helps them take a step back and relax.”
Mahmoud Saad, event director, said the message behind the event tells students there are many ways to cope with stress.
“One of them is releasing it in a car smash here.
“That was our idea because it's a good way to release the stress on a midterm week,” he said.
Saad said it is such a fun activity to do as a group.
“It might work a little bit. But I think the main idea is that there are many ways to cope with the stress.
“Maybe violence should not be the one, only do it on a car when it's supposed to go for a scrap.
“However, that's what we're sending. The message that you can cope with your stress in a lot of other ways as well.”
