Stuffed animals providing comfort and social connection among UGA and other college students
Many students grapple with what to bring when coming to college. Usually thinking of necessities, their first thoughts may include shower shoes, an extension cord or school supplies. However, a certain type of furry friend usually ends up in the many packed boxes: a stuffed animal.
No matter the size or shape, it’s not unusual to see children carrying stuffed animals. But besides being a staple for many people’s childhoods, they can improve mental health among adults.
According to the National College Health Assessment, 73% of college students reported moderate or severe psychological stress in 2021. This percentage has increased almost 50% since 2013. Having access to stuffed animals provides security for students, creating comfort and lowering stress hormones while boosting serotonin and dopamine levels, studies find.
The University of Georgia’s free plushie events are among the most packed festivities of the year. According to University Union, at the three stuffed bulldog events they have had in the past year, a total of 1,784 students attended.
The Bears-to-Build event was the first of the plushie events at UGA for the 2024-2025 academic year. Hosted on Aug. 18 in Tate Student Center by the University Health Center’s, it was a part of the Welcome UGA initiative.
Kelly Truesdell, assistant director at the Fontaine Center, said that they have been doing this event since fall of 2017, when it was created to help form social connection and community among students.
“One of the things that we do at this event is allow them to meet new people, foster belonging and social support during their time at UGA,” Truesdell said.
Michelle Romero, a first year human development and family science major said that she came to have a fun memory from her first year.
Her friend, Selene Franklin, a first year molecular biology and biochemistry major said that events like this help bring people together over something fun.
“They can symbolize memories, different parts of my life. As like a physical object, it’s cute and cuddly but it also symbolizes big moments,” Franklin said.
Walking around Tate Student Center, it was not hard to find students standing in line or smiling while holding a stuffed animal they had waited up to an hour for.
Macie Phillips, a third year ocean sciences major, and her friend waited in line for a plushie due to tradition, saying that they had both done it since freshman year.
Phillips said that sometimes it’s just nice to see something cute after having a really bad day, mentioning her hammerhead shark stuffed animal she named ‘Marine Antoinette.’
“[The stuffed animal] was so cartoonishly stupid that it would get me out of my funk,” Phillips said.
Many students that attended the event had also already brought a stuffed animal to college prior to attending the event.
Macee Still, a first year English major said that she brought a koala plushie her grandma bought her before coming to college. Her friend, Ollie Martin, a first year biology major, said that his entire dorm is full of Squishmallows, and he can’t sleep without them now.
“It’s definitely like a piece of home,” Still said.
Franklin also said that she has many stuffed animals in her room and that it’s nice to have something from home to hug.
Emery Kerkhove, a first year intended entertainment and media studies major, said that she brought a stuffed animal she has had since she was little.
“I think just stuffed animals in particular, they’re just very comforting,” Kerkhove said. “It’s just something to have, in your bed, or in your dorm. It’s almost like just like a little friend to have to keep you company.”
