IIT Kharagpur Opens 24x7 Recharge Zones for Placement Stress

• IIT Kharagpur set up recharge zones to ease placement-related student stress.
• Zones provide meditation, creative spaces, soothing music, games, and basic fitness.
• Initiative boosts mental-health support with expanded counselling and wellness programmes.

IIT Kharagpur has established specific 'recharge zones' throughout its campus to assist students in managing stress during the placement period, stated institute Director Suman Chakraborty.

Crafted as 24/7 relaxation areas, the zones seek to provide students with short yet significant respites from the high stress of job interviews and selection processes, he stated. Recognized for its challenging placement timelines, frequently extending long hours across multiple days, the institute has experienced a consistent increase in instances of student anxiety, according to a faculty member.

The director explained that the 'recharge zones' were created after counselors and faculty observed that numerous students were having difficulty managing consecutive interview processes and increased expectations.

The 'recharge zones' offer various soothing activities and facilities, he noted. From serene nooks for meditation and journaling to imaginative walls for sketching, soothing music areas, relaxation games, and basic fitness equipment, these environments aim to assist students in mentally rejuvenating.

The effort is a component of IIT Kharagpur’s larger initiative to enhance mental health assistance on campus. During the last year, the institute has broadened its counselling services and launched various wellness programmes to promote healthier academic practices.

Also Read: Significance of Mental Health & Well-Being for Academic Success

He stated that viewing breaks as a beneficial and necessary practice, rather than a reflection of one's inability to handle tasks, is important. Students have embraced the initiative, noting that the recharge areas provide a unique break amidst a highly competitive period.

Although the pressure from placements persists, they claim the new environments offer a feeling of comfort and recognize the emotional impact the season can have, according to student Debmalya Bagchi.