The pressures of a health care education can have a major impact on students’ mental
health and wellness. Health care students have been found to report high levels of
perceived stress. One Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) student
worked to provide support in dealing with the challenges and stress of course loads
and exams with a tranquility room.
“The purpose of the tranquility room is to promote a more holistic wellness environment
for everyone at TTUHSC,” said Sarah Jaroudi, a fourth-year medical student. “This
allows a space for meditation and reflection to alleviate distress.”
When Jaroudi was a first-year student, she approached then Student Government President
Mike Russell about a space to help alleviate stress for students. More than 100 students
responded to a questionnaire wanting a tranquility room.
The following year, Jaroudi became a SGA officer and led the efforts to get a location,
logistics and approval for the space. Now students, faculty and staff can benefit
from the tranquility room located at the Preston Smith Library. No studying and sleeping
are allowed in the tranquility room, and there are a few other rules to provide a
quiet environment.
“For students who are dealing with a high-stress environment, it is important to have
the opportunity to go somewhere and decompress,” Jaroudi said. “This room will hopefully
have a positive impact on students’ well being and help them perform well with their
academic studies.”
