Ivy league students offered crayons, Legos and cookies with milk to cope with Trump’s election win

Ivy League schools across the US canceled classes, postponed exams and told students they could color in with crayons and offered milk and cookies to cope with Donald Trump’s resounding victory in the presidential election.

Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania, which is Donald Trump’s alma mater – told students they could take the day off.

At Harvard, classes ranging from applied math to the study of ancient Greek heroes were called off, The Harvard Crimson reported.

University of Pennsylvania professors hastily adjusted exam schedules and offered additional support to students reeling from Trump’s win, The Daily Pennsylvanian reported.

At Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, a ‘Self-Care Suite’ for students offered students the chance to play with Legos, doodle with crayons, and munch on milk and cookies ‘in recognition of these stressful times,’ The Free Press reported.   

Dartmouth College offered distraught students a decompression dinner and listening circles to console them after Kamala Harris lost the 2024 presidential election. 

Event organizers at the Ivy League school encouraged its students to ‘be off the grid the day after the election’ and to join them at Moosilauke Ravine Lodge for a ‘decompress dinner’ on Wednesday evening. 

‘Bring a book, a craft, and a friend to the lodge,’ it said, according to a schedule obtained by the Daily Caller. 

Back on its main campus, the New Hampshire school also offered Democratic and Republican ‘listening circles’ that forbade ‘policy debate’ or discussion of candidates ‘strategy.’ 

But rather, it would be a ‘supportive environment’ where students could share with like-minded peers their ‘hopes, concerns and reflections about our country’s direction,’ the schedule announced. 

They also offered an ‘open space’ for all international students to ‘reflect on the election,’ as well as, as a faculty listening circle. 

Additional counseling – a service already offered to students – was also added to help students cope with the nation’s decision. 

On Friday, Dartmouth will also allow Democratic and Republican students to come together for a discuss politics without interrupting each other  in a ‘respectful space where people across the political spectrum can share their hopes, concerns, and experiences.’ 

The college will end its post-election events with a ‘first-generation office wellness dinner.’ 

Roughly 75 percent of the study body planned on voting for Harris, according to The Dartmouth, a college publication, found in a poll. 

Only around 20 percent of students said they would vote for Trump, who eventually won the race. 

Seventy-six percent of students polled said they believed the country was on the ‘wrong track,’ according to the collegiate publication. 

At Michigan State University assistant professor Shlagha Borah shockingly informed students she was canceling class entirely to ‘grieve’ the results.

‘As a queer, immigrant woman of colour, I cannot, in good conscience, go on about my day like everything is alright,’ Borah wrote in a message that quickly went viral after being shared by the X account End Wokeness.

‘This is a major historical event that we are witnessing,’ she added. ‘I hope you take this time to take care of yourself.’

Meanwhile at Princeton, the university rolled out ‘Post-Election Listening Circles’ to help students cope with the results, offering both virtual and in-person ‘safe spaces’ for emotional processing.

‘We have been hearing about lots of anxiety from students about the election,’ University Spokesperson Jennifer Morrill told The Daily Princetonian, adding that the circles provide ‘a non-judgmental place to share feelings about the election.’

The Ivy League institution even hosted an ‘Art Build’ event through its Environmental Activism Coalition to help community members express their election-related emotions through coloring and other creative means.

Biden consoled the nation on Thursday, two days after his VP and former running mate lost the race. 

‘I know it’s a difficult time. You’re hurting. I hear you and I see you,’ Biden said. ‘A country chooses one or the other. We accept the choice the country makes.

‘You can’t love your country only when you win. You can’t love your neighbor only when you agree,’ Biden said. ‘A defeat does not mean we are defeated. We lost this battle. But we can get back up.’ 

He congratulated Harris on her historic campaign, and invited President-elect Trump to meet with him in the White House.

He expressed his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition to power.

Harris formally conceded her campaign on Wednesday with a public speech at her alma mater, Howard University.

The emotional vice president admitted ‘this is not what we wanted’ as she took the stage almost 12 hours after the race was officially called for the former president.

Harris, however, also vowed to help with the peaceful transfer of power even as she said she would continue the battle after Trump’s dominant victory.

‘While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign,’ she said.