“Little Forest” is a supportive service that helps students reduce anxiety and stress during the wait-listed times from the counseling center.

This comforting and safe space is designed for students to actively engage in their own self-care through the difficult times.

Inspired by the forest, students will be able to come to this space whenever they would like, re-charge, and live out their day full of energy and hope.

Little Forest will provide peace and relaxation of forest bathing.

Light switch & USB port

Different levels of lighting is offered so that users can choose according to the activity.

(For example, when stepping into the pod, white fluorescent light can be turned on and can be changed into warm lighting when starting breathing exercises.)

Storage

Weighted blankets would be stored inside this space. Users can also put in personal belongings before going into the pod.

Activities using Little forest app

A tablet will be placed on the side of the pod to access and utilize the app for various activities.

Aromatherapy sheet holder

Aromatherapy sheet holder will be placed on the right door of the pod.

Breathing Exercise

Practicing a balanced breathing pattern will help with reducing anxiety. Different levels of guided breathing will be introduced.

Meditation

Meditation or mindfulness techniques encourage people to become more aware of their bodies by focusing on their heartbeats, imaging oneself in a certain situation and reflecting on themselves.

Quiet Times and Gratitude Journaling

Quiet times and journaling allows an individual to organize their thoughts, feelings and problems to make them more simple to the given situation and helps to build coping skills.

Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors(AUCCCD) reported that during the 2017-2018 academic year, students with non-urgent mental health issues are left wait-listed on average between 3 and 7 weeks. Even at the short end of the range, 3 weeks is not a short time and can lead to the development of crucial problems.

“There are times when I feel like I want to be alone and do the activities, not with the people that I have met the first time. But, at the same time, I don’t want to be alone.”

—Phillip, University of Chicago Student

“I wanted to escape from the campus
where no one can see me. I would go and find spaces where sun is and sleep there instead of going home.”

— Mary, University of Illinois at Chicago Student

From research, I found that many colleges and universities are trying their best to provide the best quality of care for their students. Interviews with professionals and student experiences provided me with insights that shaped the course of this project.

Insight 1

Students need a dedicated space when dealing with anxiety and stress. Currently there is no adequate space.

Insight 2

The alternative services that schools provide are beneficial. However they need to be more accessible to student’s time.

Insight 3

Students need a form of self-care in the wait-listed times.

Concept 3

Started out as a variation of concept 1 and 2. I incorporated stairs and manipulated the form, textures, and materials to make the pod feel more welcoming.

Inspired by the design of baby cribs. I also thought about a version without the staircase to make it accessible for people who may not be able to walk up the stairs.

I developed this concept further as the final design.

An ideal scenario of this design concept is to have a dedicated room of Little Forests.

After entering the reception area, students would be able to utilize their scheduled pod for 30 minutes. A student enters the room and picks out an aromatherapy sheet of their preferred fragrance. Then, the student would go into the scheduled pod.

This is a hypothetical room to visualize the experience:

If dedicated room for the pods is not possible, I hope these pods can stand on their own in various areas throughout the campus.

Final Design