As winter break approaches, students may begin to feel the pressure of final exams looming over them. There are many ways to combat this feeling of stress and finish the semester strong.
Stress is a factor in many students’ academic and personal lives, often influencing their performance and overall well being. Many report that it is easy to be overworked during the semester and struggle to find effective methods to decompress after a demanding day.
Stress affects the body in physical ways often leaving students feeling unwell. Symptoms can include headaches, muscle tension, sleep disturbance and digestive issues. Elevated stress levels can also weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of illness especially during winter months when sickness is more common in school settings.
High stress levels can also affect students’ social interactions. Nathaly Maldonado (Senior, Computer Science) noted that it influences her communication with others.
“It can make me more irritable which makes people think I’m in a bad mood,” Maldonado said. “Being stressed over something can cause me to zone out and lose focus in other classes because I am too busy worrying about the thing I’m stressing over. Sometimes I even have to try to get things done for another class during class time, which also distracts me.”
Bee Mendoza (Junior, Creative Media) discussed the physical impact of stress, sharing that it often results in headaches.
“I’ve had days where I need to go to the bathroom to get it out of my system before I can go back to take notes,” Mendoza said.
Maldonado also expressed similar experiences, “Sometimes when I’m stressed I don’t sleep or eat well, which makes me feel unwell. It also gives me headaches, and if I’m anxious I can feel nauseous and lose my appetite.”
Students identified some methods that help them reduce stress. Therapy is one option available to those seeking additional support. Stan State offers counseling through its Counseling and Psychological Services. Other techniques include yoga and meditation, which are widely accessible through online videos or through local gyms.
Some students even turn to creative outlets during stressful periods. Maldonado noted that she cooks, bakes and draws to manage stress. “My go-to way to alleviate stress is drawing. I also go outside and walk or drink tea when I’m stressed,” she said.
Kyara Rodriguez (Junior, Creative Media) shared similar tactics, “Building legos sets, or going on walks or trying out a new recipe helps.”
Music is another tool students use to help with stress. Music can influence heart rate, blood pressure and breathing patterns. Listening to calming music can make it easier to focus on tasks.
Stress presents challenges for many students but a variety of strategies and resources can help alleviate stress.
