South College Library Blog

Finals period is a stressful time in the life of students. Looming deadlines, late-night study sessions, and fear of failure can create anxiety, loss of sleep, and potentially even impact student performance on final exams and papers. Students need healthy outlets and productive coping mechanisms for stress and  in order to perform their academic best. 

Believe it or not, a simple and accessible stress-busting strategy already exists: coloring. 

The Case for Coloring 

While most of us enjoyed (or at least, participated in) coloring as kids, not many of us have had an excuse to break out the crayon box since—until recently. Adult coloring as a trend has taken off since the mid-2010s, with many sources citing the publication of the Secret Garden coloring book by Johanna Basford in 2013 as a catalyst. Since then, many libraries have capitalized on the trend by offering coloring clubs and events for adults (Roy & Edwards, 2025; Blackburn & Chamley, 2016). These events have been very successful, with participants noting that they color to relieve stress or anxiety, unplug from technology, or as a form of socialization. 

Why Coloring Works 

Studies have shown that—even more than reading or even drawing—coloring boosts mood, mindfulness, and emotional regulation while also reducing anxiety (Holt et al., 2019; Turturro & Drake, 2022). Researchers have theorized that coloring, especially coloring repetitive patterns such as mandalas, promotes flow, or a positive state of mind in which an individual is fully absorbed with a focused task in front of them (Flicker et al., 2025). Coloring helps refocus the mind away from stressful thoughts of exams into a positive, creative mindset. This allows students to recenter, regroup, and cope better with the stressful finals period. 

Come Color with Us 

South College Library wants to help you de-stress this finals period by offering a variety of relaxing coloring sheets and colored pencils in each of its campus Resource Centers. Coloring supplies will be available December 12–18. We invite you to take a break from studying to Color and be Calm with us!

Get the Coloring Sheets

Can't make it to a library or resource center this week? No worries! Click an image below to download the corresponding coloring sheet. Print it out and color your stress away at home.

Library Resources

Still stressed out? Check out these library resources below on ways to reduce your stress through mindfulness and meditation.

Chris Byrns is the Associate Director of Library Services, based at Knoxville's Parkside Library. He has been with South College since March 2025.

1.  Name the question you get asked the most and share your go-to solution. 
   
   Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of APA citation questions. My go-to solution is the APA 7th Edition guide on the South College Library website. When it comes to APA, you’d be hard pressed to find a more user-friendly or better sourced guide.
    
2.  Point to one resource you wish students would utilize more and why it matters. 
   
   I wish more students took advantage of the tutorials on the library website. A lot of work has gone into creating these short, 2–3 minute videos, and they’re packed with useful information. Since all South College programs require library engagement, and research-intensive programs even more so, learning how to make the most of these resources is an investment that always pays off. 
    
3.  What’s one behind-the-scenes task that, if skipped, students would feel tomorrow? 
   
   I help coordinate room reservations at the Parkside Library. Between testing and studying, demand is high. Without this mediation, students would struggle to secure quiet study areas or rooms needed for makeup and accommodations testing. 
    
4. What inspired you to seek out a job in libraries? 
   
   Like many librarians, my path wasn’t direct. I originally planned to be an educator but couldn’t secure a position right after graduation. Since I had worked at John C. Hodges Library while at UT-Knoxville, I found a job at Lawson McGhee Library in Knoxville, which I thought would be a placeholder. I ended up loving it and decided to stay. What I enjoy most about being a librarian is the variety of people you meet and tasks to complete. People think they know what librarians do, but the scope is much broader than they realize. The only real throughline is that librarians help people solve problems. 
    
5. If you could recommend one book that everyone should read, what would it be? 
   
   After 12 years as a public librarian, I developed a deep appreciation for picture books. They’re far more impactful than most people realize. My favorite is Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen, about a girl who transforms her cold, dreary town with a magical box of yarn. But the one I think everyone should read is The Fate of Fausto by Oliver Jeffers, a powerful story about the pitfalls of greed. 
    
6. What’s the movie you’re watching every Christmas? 
   
   My family really leans into the holidays with activities and movies every year. If I had to pick one, it’s Home Alone. As a 90s kid, I was the target audience when it first came out, and now watching it with my children is a highlight of the season. It’s a fun reminder that family, even when they are the worst, are actually the best. Honorable mention goes to the 1964 stop-motion Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. As a bearded redhead, I’ve always had a soft spot for Yukon Cornelius.