Don't Freak Out Over Finals

Editor-in-Chief

   With finals week this week, most students feel stressed out and already fatigued in preparation for that last attempt to get the grade they want.

   According to Suicide.org, stress isn't always bad. A normal amount of stress causes you to respond to events by tackling the problem. On the other hand, too much stress can be catastrophic. For example, Spectator News, the University of Wisconsin campus newspaper, said last year they received 26 suicide threats and four attempts by students.

   Stress is definitely something not to be ignored.

   MayoClinic.com said stress affects your body, your thoughts and feelings and your behavior. When one feels overloaded with stress, they experience headaches, heart palpitations, irritability, depression, stomach upset and that all too familiar feeling of burnout.

   According to Mindtools.com, uncertainty causes stress and leads to you make mistakes and undermine your performance. Students' uncertainty comes with not knowing if they will pass their finals. Studying ahead of time reduces the uncertainty one may experience.

  
   According to CampusGrotto.com, tips for studying include:

• Study Environment - You can accomplish much more quality study time in an academic like atmosphere than studying at home. Cut out all distractions while brainstorming to help maintain your train of thought. Eliminating noisy distractions and working during the day when you are more alert are also great ways to improve efficiency when studying.

• Study Time - Be prepared for some seriously intensive study and plan for it accordingly. Study when it best suits you. Some people have more energy in the daytime, therefore study harder then, while others have higher efficiency during the late hours of the night. Find what works best for you and dedicate your more difficult tasks to these study times.

•  Study Aids - Use note cards, practice tests, tutors and teacher assistants as top study aids.

•  Review Previous Tests - Go over previous tests throughout the quarter. Spend most of your time learning what you got wrong. You should also take the time to get to know the format of the final so that there are no opportunities for misunderstanding later.

  
   Another problem students face is negative thoughts. Some students go in with the attitude they are going to fail. Think rationally! If you have studied and prepared, you should have nothing to worry about and if you don’t ace it, then no one is going to hang you upside down by your toenails. If you wanted an A and got a C, that’s cool. If you fail it, you did the best you could. You can retake the course next semester! No biggie!

 
   Stress management tips include:

• Keep a positive attitude.

• Accept that there are events that you cannot control.

• Be assertive instead of aggressive. "Assert" your feelings, opinions, or beliefs instead of becoming angry, defensive or passive.

• Learn and practice relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation.
  

• Exercise regularly. Your body can fight stress better when it is fit.

• Eat healthy, well-balanced meals.

• Get enough rest and sleep. Your body needs time to recover from stressful events.

• Don't rely on alcohol or drugs to reduce stress.

• Seek out social support.

• Learn to manage your time more effectively.

 
   Sometimes even with stress management tips anxiety can become unbearable. If you feel overwhelmed, please visit the campus counselor Laura Hughes in Harris Hall, or call at 460-1454 to make an appointment. Drop-in counseling is available to accommodate students in crisis or emergency situations and best of all it is completely free of cost and confidential. No one will know you were even there!

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