SOLs and exams are right around the corner at RCHS, and many of the students and staff are stressed. Students and staff have begun to bring fidgets to help cope with stress and anxiety throughout the school day. According to Virginia Tech as of 2022, it was reported that “more than half of middle school students and two-thirds of high school students are nervous, anxious, or on edge.” There are many different kinds of fidgets to suit everyone’s needs, and provide guidance to keep focus and stay on track. 

Fidgets are made of many different materials and designed to benefit everyone. Some of the materials used to make fidgets are silicon, plastic, metal, fabric/yarn, putty, slime, and kinetic sand. There are also many different textures of fidgets such as smooth, spiky, and squishy. Each kind has unique functions like stretching, clicking, popping, and spinning. 

Many students at RCHS have been seen with a fidget called a NeeDoh. NeeDoh was made by a toy company called Schylling. The concept of the NeeDoh was to be used as a stress and anxiety reliever. According to schllying.com, a Needoh is a soothing, silky, soft squishy sensory toy made for all ages. NeeDoh varies in shapes and sizes, but students at RCHS fan over the cubed NeeDoh. 

Fidgets are used to help students stay engaged and focused on their work. Fidgets are appropriate for everyone, and help those with ADD, ADHD, OCD, autism, and anxiety. Students can use fidgets to accomplish tasks more confidently with focus. According to Hope Humans, fidgets can help students manage energy and pulses. Fidgets are able to support students’ brain alerting systems, and help them promote self- awareness and coping. 

All in all, many students at RCHS struggle throughout the school day with stress and anxiety. Students using fidgets at school allows them to deal with their nerves silently and get through the day. Fidgets can be used by any and everyone, and provide many usages to students.