By Claire Fried '26 and Eliza Botzman '27

SANDUSKY — Sunday, October 5, 2025, marked the 15th anniversary of the Abnormal Psychology course' "Face Your Fears" trip to Cedar Point, part of Dr. Kevin Meyer's psychology curriculum. It not only introduces students to the concept and practice of first-person exposure therapy, but it also allows them to dive deep into the world of mental health disorders and illnesses that are all relevant in the world today. 

Fried '26 (left) and Botzman '27 (right)

This project challenges students to confront fears in a supportive and safe setting. The class was divided into two groups: the rider group, consisting of students ready to conquer their fear of roller coasters, and the support group, which served the purpose of providing emotional encouragement and grounding throughout the trip. The rider group ranged from students who had never been on a roller coaster, including Eliza, to those who wanted to test their comfort zones.

Some students looking to face their fears were afraid of the height, others the speed or sudden drop, but there was a common goal: to approach their anxiety using the psychological tools we had studied in lectures. Such tools and coping mechanisms utilized during this trip and the time leading up to it included mindful breathing, positive self-talk, and counter statements to help realign riders’ thoughts away from negative ones.

Peer distraction and encouragement from the support group were also present, especially in moments leading up to each ride. We would distract the riders with side conversations unrelated to the rides and encourage them to focus on things that made them laugh. The ride lineup included classics like Millennium Force, Siren’s Curse, Iron Dragon, Gemini, Magnum XL-200, and the much-anticipated Top Thrill 2. Students were encouraged to ride more than just the rides they had selected as their “goal ride” – the one that represented their biggest fear, but were not required to.

Botzman '27 (second to the left) and Fried '26 (third to the right) with a group of friends at Cedar Point

We started strong with Millennium Force, which gave many students a huge boost of confidence, making the latter challenges more approachable. Those who rode this roller coaster noted how relieved they felt afterward and how the short wait time gave them no chance to second-guess their decision. As the day progressed, riders faced their fears, and everyone was enjoying themselves. 

Instant regret mixed with anger upon boarding the ride turned into laughter and relief when each was over. By the time the bus exited the park, the group’s energy was at an all-time high, a state of triumph mixed with exhaustion, both mental and physical. An important thing to note about this experience, explained by Dr. Meyer, is that this experience serves as cognitive restructuring for students and not to eliminate fear and anxiety completely in their minds, as that is not entirely achievable in a short timeframe.

Fifteen trips after its first run, the "Face Your Fear" trip continues to stand as an impactful component, encouraging students to enroll in the Abnormal Psychology course here at Mount Union.