It’s not every day that college students are encouraged to destroy a car, but Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) offered students a chance to do just that to release some stress.
The car smash event took place in front of the campus library from April 8 to 10. In the days leading up to the actual smash on the 10th, students were invited to write their stressors on the vehicle.
There were typical end-of-term complaints about finals, exams and practicums, along with more emotional stressors like cancer, cheaters and self-doubt.
One student even lightened the mood with a tag that read, “Less upsetting spaghetti, more love laugh lasagna.”
Jacq Patterson, President of the Students’ Association at RDP, helps organize the yearly event, which began in 2017.
“These students are expected to be a certain way all the time, and this is something that they can just express who they are no matter what.” said Patterson.
“There’s always etiquette and codes of conduct and stuff like that, which are important, especially when you're dealing with others but sometimes it's nice just to be chaotic and let it be, in a safe way,” Patterson added. “They could just be them in that moment and feel what they're feeling because you can't exist in the future, you can't exist in the past; if you're there hitting something really hard, you have to be present, in the moment. So that's my favourite part— I get to watch people be excited, and in the moment.”
First in line was Blaine Noble, a third-year business student, who had one mission: the windshield.
Having woken up early for the event, Noble said, “I didn't do the writing on it. I mainly just wanted to, you know, break stuff, but I think that's getting the people who are maybe less keen on that. It's part of the initiatives they're doing around here.”
For those less inclined to smash, the campus offered quieter ways to release tension.
Students were invited to write anonymous letters to express their stress. These letters will be used to create a collaborative art piece, which will be displayed and added to during future car smash events.
The event which is paid for through the school and the Student Association also provides support and references for students on campus about the Counselling Services available to them.
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