Students can feel extra pressure during finals week and the days of study leading up to it. Some of this stress is a positive thing because it can lead to motivation, but when levels get too high, it can be crippling.
To help prevent this, the U is offering resources across campus for students to combat finals week and stay healthy. An immediate service available to students is the Center for Student Wellness, located inside the Student Life Center. The group supports any aspect of wellness in students’ lives, such as providing sleep/stress kits, wellness coaching and stress management strategies.
“I recommend incorporating stress relief strategies into your life before the semester gets super crazy,” said Katie Stiel, program manager for the Center for Student Wellness.
Time management is crucial for students seeking to reduce stress at the end of the semester. Scheduling time for regular sleep, eating, studying, homework and socializing are key.
“Don’t procrastinate,” Stiel said. “Make time for studying, but also make time to do some stress-relieving activities like exercise, mindfulness, eating a nutritious meal, journaling and even some Netflix and chill.”
Austin Ulugalu, a junior in business marketing, said spacing out assignments helps him get through finals week.
“I finish everything else for the class before I start focusing on finals,” he said. “That way I can give my full attention to the final.”
An important aspect of maintaining wellness during high periods of stress is monitoring the foods you eat. Stress and late-night studying can lead to “binge”-eating or snacking on calorie-dense foods with little nutritional value. This can pack on the pounds and lead to even higher levels of anxiety. Well-balanced meals of healthy foods, such as proteins and vegetables, can combat stress and help students focus as they study.
The Student Life Center will hold various exercise classes — called “Sweat the Stress” — starting next week to help students relieve test week anxiety. Cycling, yoga and Zumba are among those offered.
“Staying active is important,” Ulugalu said. “If I can’t find people to play volleyball, I turn to working out.”
Socializing is another component students need to balance to maintain manageable amounts of stress during finals week. Activities, such as studying with a group or just being together, can help students relax.
“Just hanging out with a few people and talking relieves so much stress,” Ulugalu said, “so I plan a bunch of relaxing time.”
If students are in need of professional counseling, the University Counseling Center offers one hour sessions for $12. The center, staffed with professional counselors and psychiatrists available for confidential sessions with students, is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a 24/7 crisis hotline at 801-587-3000.
@BeauHart13