California State University, Stanislaus (Stan State), Psychological Counseling Services will provide a Mindfulness, Insight, Openness (MIO) workshop open to Stan State students on April 26 in the Mary Stuart Rogers (MSR) building, room 210 at 1 p.m.
The common student kryptonite allergy, also known as stress, appears suddenly as the end of the semester approaches.
Aside from all the pollen and the rain showers, April is also known as Stress Awareness Month. A month to recognize the strenuous vibes students encounter when experiencing challenging and stressful circumstances.
Studies shown through the American Psychology Association (APA) state that “academic stress” affects cognitive functioning.
Performance and task oriented duties are disrupted when “working memory” suffers. Working memory is a thinking process that buffers as a memory bank.
Working memory is vital in recalling important information for thought processes in decision making and concentration. In other words, the ability to take exams or complete assignments may suffer due to stress affecting your working memory.
Spring semester entails some of the most challenging aspects in the school year. Some include, but not limited to:
- Preparing for graduation
- Preparing for student music recitals
- Completing last minute graduation tasks
- Studying for major exams: midterm/final
- Applying for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Scholarships
- Filing Taxes
- Preparing for Graduate studies
Such tasks can cause many students to suffer from stress, anxiety and high pressure.
MIO is conducted by the director of Psychological Counseling Services, Dan Berkow.
Berkow invites Stan State’s students to participate in a calming and comfortable environment. “It can be very transformative in their life,” Berkow said.
According to research by the APA, practicing mindfulness decreases stress, anxiety, reactivity and increases response flexibility.
Workshops, such as MIO, can help students relax and decrease these high pressures. “Key point to these workshops is to be present and aware,” Berkow said.
MIO provides a meditative experience for students on becoming self-aware of their surroundings in one sitting. Berkow holds these workshops as an informative and meditative manner, where students are able to become self aware of their surroundings.
“This workshop varies depending on each student. Some students, if they put a lot into it, they get a lot out of it,” Berkow said.
For more information about MIO, contact the Psychology Counseling Services at (209) 667-3381 or visit MSR in room 210.
