During this time of year, college students can experience stress and depression. “During finals there is a lot of stress,” Michele Caruso, dean of student services, said. “There is a lot of panic, especially for students who are not prepared. There is a lot of fatigue, too. It is the end of the semester, and people are staying up late working on papers and studying.”
Stress is defined as the wear-and-tear bodies experience while adjusting to the continually changing environment. It has physical and emotional effects and can create positive or negative feelings. The most important thing is to manage stress properly.
“Yeah, I get stressed during finals,” Jacob Krieg, computer science junior from Thibodaux, said. “I think everybody does.”
Students need help coping with the stress of finals. While, seniors stress over graduation, Caruso said all college students need to pay particular attention to how they are handling stress to prevent a feeling of being overwhelmed.
For exams, Caruso recommends that students prepare in advance. Start now by organizing class notes. Look for study guides; most teachers hand them out, so ask for them early and start using them.
“My 21st birthday is the week before finals,” Benjamin Terrebonne, general studies sophomore from Golden Meadow, said. “With finals coming up, I won’t really get to celebrate.”
Students should make sure to take care of themselves and eat healthy to keep your body properly fueled. Caruso said during finals, students should continue any exercise program they are involved in to relieve stress.
The week of exams, students’ routines can be thrown off completely. Class and study schedules are changed, and that can be stressful in itself. Caruso said that students should try to maintain their normal work and everyday schedules as much as possible: “Try to stick with your routine.”
For college students, the stressful events of finals and the holidays overlap. Caruso said that many factors can cause stress during the holidays, also known as “holiday blues,” such as fatigue, unrealistic expectations, financial constraints and the inability to be with one’s family and friends.
“This year, the holidays are going to be different for a lot of people with the hurricanes and the tragedies that people have experienced,” Caruso said. “For some, holidays are going to be in different places. They might be spread out, distant from family they are used to being with.
As with finals stress, there are also many ways to deal with the “holiday blues.” According to the National Mental Health Association, students should keep expectations for the holiday season reasonable. Caruso said people expect it to be a Hallmark holiday like they see on TV or a card, and that is not the way it is for most people.
“Organize your time, realize your budget and spend wisely,” Caruso said. “College students do not have a lot of money to spend on Christmas gifts, so get creative.”
“I get stressed during the holidays,” Misty Orgeron, freshman from Lockport, said. “I never know who to buy for or how much to spend.”
Another way to cope with stress during the holidays, according to the National Mental Health Association, is to remember the holiday season does not banish reasons for feeling sad.
“Acknowledging that you feel sad is perfectly normal and actually healthy,” Caruso said. Students have to allow themselves to grieve their loss, regardless of what their loss is.
Stress is normal to a certain extent, according to Caruso. People just need to understand themselves and be aware enough to know when it crosses over into being a problem. If something is either interfering with your functioning or has lasted more than two weeks, then it is time to talk to someone.
The University Counseling Center is located in 224 Elkins Hall. They provide individual, couple or group counseling. Help is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. through 4:30 p.m.
