(Edmonton) For students stressed out by exams and steeped in social media snark, it can be easy to be cynical about positive initiatives. But an unabashedly upbeat trio of University of Alberta students are proving that people are looking for a little more happy in their lives.
The same anonymous students who manage the popular U of A Compliments Facebook page have struck again and are hosting a "PositiviDAY" fun fair April 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Quad.
"We have partnered with the Students' Union and Unwind Your Mind to give students some space from studying to just have fun."
The planned activities for PositiviDAY include adult-sized bouncy castles, sidewalk-chalk art, free performances by U of A students, a photo booth, Giant Volleyball, disc golf, mini golf and arcade shoot basketball, and of course "complimentary" balloons.
The students hope that the positivity they generate this Friday will carry students through final exams.
The U of A Compliments group was created by three undergraduate students in an effort to reclaim social media as a safe space to have positive interactions. The group has been active on Facebook since November 2012 and is now closing in on 7,000 likes.
The three students have chosen to remain anonymous to maintain the sincerity of spirit behind the compliments and their activities. "There is something to be said for strangers complimenting strangers, and random acts of kindness. These connections are important, and they are relevant for everyone. You don't necessarily have to have a name attached to it for it to mean something."
This Friday, students will have a chance to step out from behind the screen and meet their compliment-happy counterparts in Quad.
"By putting a little love out into the world, you get so much back."
Along with PositiviDAY this Friday, the Unwind Your Mind activities from now until April 17 are a chance for students to have fun and get support to gear up for final exams.