USC junior Geinel Johnson tells herself that Sunday is her one day to rest after a jam-packed week of classes, job duties and volunteer work. But, somehow, she finds herself still multi-tasking even on her day off. Johnson, 21, said her schedule is like that of most of her college peers.
"We are always doing something," Johnson said this week, fresh off a final exam and on her way to her part-time job on campus. "We never take time to reflect on the day."
USC officials have students like Johnson in mind as they raise funds to build an outdoor meditation garden on campus. Rabbi Susan Laemmle, dean of religious life, said students need a quiet haven that enables them to pause, relax and reflect, even if only for a few minutes.
Laemmle said students would benefit "not just from a religious perspective but also a mental health perspective."
USC and other colleges across the country are creating meditation spaces to provide students with opportunities to grow outside the classroom. The trend is occurring at both private and public universities, such as the University of Florida, which has a 2,000-square-foot gothic-style meditation center.
Northeastern University in Boston, Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., and Chapman University in Orange are among schools that have designated spaces where students can pray, meditate or just sit quietly.
Johnson, a sociology major who juggles volunteer work for three mentoring programs, said even a few moments in a meditation garden would help her gain a sense of calm.
"Sometimes I feel like my mind is so cluttered," Johnson said as she rattled off her responsibilities. "I don't have a lot of time to sit, but just for a second would probably be helpful."
As with the site envisioned by USC, meditation spaces on campuses are typically gardens or small rooms in student unions. The indoor spaces are often dimly lighted and may have religious symbols and texts. Some have stained-glass windows, benches and comfy throw pillows.
At the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, the 1,700-square-foot meditation room has a glass wall that offers views of an outdoor fountain.
"Maybe they walk out calmer and have a better perspective about whatever they are dealing with," said Bruce Michaels, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs at the 9,800-student campus. He said the meditation space is vital because it gives students "an opportunity for their minds to expand and their souls to grow."
