QUOTE OF THE WEEK

In Anne of Green Gables, L. M. Montgomery wrote, “Life is worth living as long as there’s a laugh in it.”

It’s the last week of classes. Finals are around the corner. It’s unarguably a very stressful time, but wallowing in misery and letting your negative emotions get the better of you is probably not the best strategy to ending the semester in success.

Allow yourself to enjoy the little things, and above all, find something that makes you laugh. It might be a cliche that “laughter is the best medicine,” but it really can help reduce stress, especially if you’re with good company.

THIS WEEK AT FALVEY

Monday, December 4

Mindfulness Monday | 1-1:30 p.m. | Multifaith Prayer Room, St. Rita’s Hall | Virtual Option | ACS Approved | Free & Open to Villanova Students, Faculty, & Staff

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Company and Industry Competitive Intelligence 101 Workshop | 5 p.m. | Room 206 | ACS Approved | Free & Open to Villanova Students | Refreshments Served | Register Here

Tuesday, December 5

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Wednesday, December 6

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Company and Industry Competitive Intelligence 101 Workshop | 6 p.m. | Room 206 | ACS Approved | Free & Open to Villanova Students | Refreshments Served | Register Here

Thursday, December 7

Falvey Library’s Annual Stress Busting Open House | 1-3 p.m. | Speakers’ Corner | Free & Open to the Villanova Community | Refreshments Served

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Sunday December 10

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

HOLIDAYS THIS WEEK

Photo by Aleksandra Tanasiienko on Unsplash

If you need a sweet snack to motivate you while studying, today, Dec. 4 is National Cookie Day, a day dedicated to any cookie you can imagine. Chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, snickerdoodles, and sugar cookies. If you really want to add a little festivity, you can enjoy some gingerbread cookies.

If you’re perhaps feeling a little more fancy, National Pastry Day is this Saturday, Dec. 9. Pastries come in hundreds of varieties, flavors, and textures, so whether you’re into croissants, crepes, bear claws, or baklava, this is your excuse to pop into a local bakery and enjoy.

Sunday, Dec. 10, is Nobel Prize Day. Although Nobel events will take place over the week, Sunday is dedicated to the achievements of Nobel Prize recipients, in honor of the first Nobel Prize. If you’re interested to learning more about all of the past recipients, you can browse the list here. This year’s Nobel Prize in Literature goes to Norwegian playwright Jon Fosse, whose works you can check out through Falvey here.

Annie Stockmal is a second-year graduate student in the Communication Department and Graduate Assistant in Falvey Library.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

In The Lord of the Rings, J. R. R. Tolkien wrote, “Deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised.”

Seeing people be appreciative for the nice things you do is undeniably nice. It boosts our confidence and makes us feel happy that we made someone else happy. But a good deed is a good deed with or without praise.

So, even if it’s just a small, simple action that makes someone smile, do a good deed this week. The smallest act of kindness might make someone’s day.

THIS WEEK AT FALVEY

Monday, September 25

Mindfulness Monday | 1-1:30 p.m. | Devon Room, Connelly Center | Virtual Option | ACS-Approved | Free & Open to Villanova Students, Faculty, & Staff

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Wonders and Realities–Three Irish Poets on Sustainability | 5-6:30 p.m. | Speakers’ Corner | ACS-Approved | Free & Open to the Public

Tuesday, September 26

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Scholarship@Villanova Event Featuring Olukunle P. Owolabi, PhD | 5-6:30 p.m. | Speakers’ Corner | Livestream Available Here | ACS-Approved | Free & Open to the Public | Light Refreshments Served

Wednesday, September 27

Fall 2023 Falvey Forum Workshop: Introduction to Zotero Citation Software | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual | ACS-Approved | Free & Open to the Public | Register Here

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Mastering the Art and Business of Webcomics with Professional Cartoonist Brad Guigar | 6-7 p.m. | Speakers’ Corner | Free & Open to the Public | Light Refreshments Served

Thursday, September 28

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

Sunday, October 1

The Learners’ Studio/Center for Speaking and Presentation | 4-9 p.m. | Room 301 | Free

HOLIDAYS THIS WEEK

Today, Sept. 25 is National Comic Book Day. If you’re into comics, today is the day to dust off your favorite edition and enjoy it. If you want to learn about the comics in our Distinctive Collections, check out Christoforos Sassaris’ blog posts on our collection of Marvel Comics and “Classics Illustrated” Comics. Love all things comic book-related? Come by our “Mastering the Art and Business of Webcomics with Professional Cartoonist Brad Guigar” event this Wednesday to spend some time with a professional cartoonist among like-minded peers.

Photo by Derick McKinney on Unsplash

Want to add some joy to someone’s week? You have countless opportunities. If words of affirmation are your love language, Tuesday, Sept. 26, is Love Note Day. Whether its your romantic partner, a close friend, or a beloved family member, write a little love note to show your love and appreciation.

If acts of service are more your speed, Thursday, Sept. 28, is National Good Neighbor Day. It might seem insignificant, but sometimes being a good neighbor, whether its to your roommates, your fellow Villanovans, or any community you’re a part of, the simple things count. So, take this as a sign to wash any dishes you left in the sink, offer a helping hand to someone who needs it, and generally live by our Caritas and Unitas mission.

If you need a therapeutic activity to take a break from studying (and your kitchen is big enough), you can celebrate National Homemade Cookies Day this Sunday, Oct. 1. Bonus points if you share some with a friend.

Annie Stockmal is a second-year graduate student in the Communication Department and Graduate Assistant in Falvey Library.

You’re one smart cookie!

Thanks for stopping by our midterm stress buster, Wildcats. Have a safe and relaxing spring break.

Kallie Stahl ’17 MA is Communication and Marketing Specialist at Falvey Library. Photos courtesy of Ethan Shea, Graduate Assistant at Falvey Library.