Recreational Clubs – A positive balance of learning and relaxation. Created by Social Communication – Journalism students
In 2020, one of the Extension activities allowing University students to dispel the difficult compulsory isolation situation was creating 14 recreational clubs, an initiative of the Student Council representatives and the Faculty’s Academic Support program monitors.
The clubs had massive participation by students from all fields of study. Spaces for well-being and recreational activities were offered on topics helping students cope with isolation and take better advantage of the quarantine period from their homes’ comfort.
Following is the balance of the recreational clubs offered:
READING CLUB: 7 SESSIONS
Short story and poetry reading sessions to share feelings and ideas about literature. Most of the analyses were addressed from three aspects: Literary figures, led by Professor Samuel Castillo; contextual and comparative, led by student Sebastián Gil, and the emotional and relational, built by all the club members. They were also encouraged to create and share literary creations by each member and produce pieces for district competitions. Additionally, other members were guided on more extended compositions, such as novels and short stories.
“The reading club was characterized by being a pleasant and peaceful space where members found a relaxed atmosphere to develop the club activities, later developed by all. The reading of short stories and poetry was accompanied by an analysis that, at first, was carried out with some rigor, which later became casual, given the willingness and active participation of the club members,” says Sebastián Gil, the space’s leading student.
LET’S TALK ABOUT: 6 SESSIONS
In this club, participants analyzed cultural products, such as movies, books, series, comics, music, short films, etc. The group chose the contents to be analyzed every Thursday. Thus, participants had time to become familiar with the topic and make the talk more fruitful.
“The group created a truly comfortable space, where everyone could voice an opinion and, in some cases, those opinions served as a kind of therapy amid the current situation. It was interesting to select a different person as the moderator for each session. This way, the moderator shared a little about the content he loves and put it in common with the other participants. In short, a safe space was created to hold entertaining talks on science fiction, time travel, family problems, and mental health,” states monitor Kenet Segura.
THEATRICAL IMPROVISATION: 5 SESSIONS
With mental agility games, deep breathing in four steps, and acting group dynamics, the students had fun, got to know each other, and had a good time. The club was an excellent space to relax during isolation and generate well-being.
According to student Nicole Peñalver, who led the space, “the club worked; the students were able to unwind and carry out dynamic activities getting them out of their daily routines, and also learn ways to manage emotions, improvise, and interpret characters outside of their reality.”
SPEECH AND VOICE MANAGEMENT CLUB: 6 SESSIONS
A space developed to carry out radio dynamics, commercial speech, practice vocal technique, and voice management. “A very entertaining group was created; there were many people interested in speech and voice handling. We always sensed great energy to carry out the activities,” says student Jairo Orozco, the club leader.
Play ONE: 3 SESSIONS
Songs were chosen by groups (duets, trios, quartets, etc.), and one person was designated as the basis of the musical track so the others could record their voice or instrument over it. The choice of songs was by group consensus, for a maximum of 7 minutes.
CINEMA CLUB: 7 SESSIONS
In this space, discussions and conversations were held around the films students like, and new recommendations and thematic axes on the following variables: directors, narrative styles, narrative and technical resources, film genres, actors, and actresses.
NIYAMA: 15 SESSIONS
Niyama is a word that translates as ‘observances’ or ‘positive practices.’ This was a relaxation space in which guided yoga sessions were held through Zoom. The club was aimed at all those wishing to relax in the midst of the current situation and, incidentally, learned to balance their body and soul.
“A relaxation and listening environment was created to understand and what students wanted to practice. This club was a help, not only for the emotional part but also the physical, as many students reported having body pain (back, neck, legs, etc.). After these yoga sessions, the pain and tension decreased,” says Laura Sofía Argüelles Niño, the club’s student leader.
GGE: 5 SESSIONS
This club intended to bring together those interested in video games and needed a space to play with other students. A server was provided where everyone could freely connect, play, and talk about video games.
COLOR QUARANTINE: 5 SESSIONS
This space was created to enhance artistic skills. Using digital tools such as Adobe Illustrator and hands-on activities like lettering, collage, drawing, watercolors, and painting, students unleashed their imaginations.
CUT 20: 5 SESSIONS
In this space, participants learned about photo and video editing in different Adobe’s Creative Suite software and mobile applications. It was a club designed to help exploit participants’ creativity and motivate them to create audiovisual pieces for their different social networks.
CREATIVE WRITING CLUB: 6 SESSIONS
The group’s objective was to write texts that would help students vent and free themselves from the reality affecting them this year and then share their work with the group members.
ZUMBA CLASSES: 5 SESSIONS
This club was created to clear the mind through dance. The classes were offered by Lina María Sanabria, a Social Communication – Journalism student and certified Zumba instructor. She carried out these activities didactically, so students were motivated and able to relieve stress.
“The initial objective was fulfilled, we interacted with the different students taking the Zumba classes, and as time passed, they became less stressed, in a space of freedom. The club was a great experience for many of us, for those of us who organized it and for those who participated,” said student Lina María Sanabria.