The Deanship of Student Affairs at Arabian Gulf University (AGU) recently organised a special event as part of its ongoing efforts to promote mental well-being and support students during the exam preparation period. The event witnessed widespread participation and positive engagement from male and female students.

The initiative, organised by the Student Guidance Unit in collaboration with the Student Activities Department in the university's main hall, aimed to provide a safe and comfortable space for expressing feelings and psychological pressures associated with exams. This was achieved through a series of innovative interactive stations combining psychological support, artistic expression, and motivational symbolism.

Among the stations that garnered considerable interaction was the “Tree of Gratitude”, where students penned words of thanks for the care and support received from family, friends and faculty members, thereby fostering feelings of positivity and belonging within the university community. The event also featured the "Calm Your Mind" station, enabling students to write their concerns on balloons, which were subsequently released — a symbolic gesture to liberate oneself from negative emotions and accumulated tension.

The "Express with Colours" station offered participants the chance to convey their emotional states through drawing and colouring, contributing to stress relief and emotional balance. Additionally, the event included a "Messages from Your Future Self" corner, where students selected inspiring cards bearing positive messages directed at their future selves, encouraging self-confidence and reassurance that this phase will pass smoothly and successfully.

The organisers from the Deanship emphasised that the event forms part of the university’s continuous efforts to create a healthy and motivating academic environment, especially during periods of academic pressure. They highlighted the importance of such activities in encouraging students to express their feelings as a constructive step towards managing challenges.

In a related context, the Student Guidance Unit held an introductory meeting for preparatory year students and their instructors, presenting the unit's role in providing psychological support. The unit also organised two workshops focusing on “Strategies for Success in Final Examinations”, targeting medical and nursing students. These workshops reviewed the main challenges faced during finals and offered effective strategies to overcome them, equipping students with practical tools to handle potential difficulties.

Special attention was given to the psychological aspects, with sessions guiding students on recognising stress indicators associated with this period, as well as coping skills to manage stress and maintain mental health. The workshops addressed methods for managing exam anxiety and procrastination. The first part explained exam anxiety as a natural feeling that can turn into an obstacle if not properly managed, with effective calming strategies such as deep breathing and meditation introduced. Participants were trained in reframing negative thoughts into realistic and positive ones. Practical tips for pre- and during-exam preparedness were also shared to enhance mental and physical readiness.

The second part focused on procrastination, analysing its psychological causes and providing tools for goal setting, task segmentation, and establishing healthy study habits that improve productivity and time management.