With only a week left in the semester, students can breath a sigh of relief that school is almost over. Knowing the next three weeks will be spent with friends and loved ones is a comfort to many, but before egg nog and fruit cake must come the dreaded uphill battle many will encounter with next week's final examinations.
For most students, simply mentioning the word "final exam" is enough to conjure up images of sleepless nights, gallons of caffeinated soda and an enormous amount of anxiety. However, with proper preparation and time management skills, final exams do not have to become an additional test of stress.
According to Lenore Binen, a psychologist at Ball State's Counseling Center, it is normal for students to feel an additional level of stress during this time of year.
"With everything coming to an end next week, and with so many students having so much due, it's only natural to feel that way," Binen said. "However, it's important for students to remember that you need a moderate amount of stress to be productive. Only when that amount exceeds a normal level does it tend to become counterproductive."
Binen said that when students run themselves down physically and mentally during finals, they lose their ability to remain on task.
"You read the same page over and over, and, because you're so busy worrying about studying, you find yourself not being able to focus on the task at hand," she said.
Cramming for tests is a tell-tale way for stress levels to rise, and Binen explained that such levels can lead to a wide range of health problems, including irritability, muscle tension, fatigue and stomach pain.
"A lot of students don't allow themselves any time to relax during a week like this, but even taking 20 minutes out to do something calming, like taking a walk or practicing yoga or deep breathing, is enough to leave you feeling rested," Binen said.
One of the most common problems students encounter while trying to study or work is procrastination.
Senior Rebecca Crane, a journalism graphics major, said she tends to include herself in the list of students who will often put studying and projects off until the last minute.
"I try not to get stressed out during finals week, but if I procrastinate, then I tend to get less sleep because of everything I have to do," Crane said. "In the end, it only makes me feel even more stressed."
Binen explained that, with the proper time management skills, procrastination does not have to be a factor in students' study habits.
"Make lists of everything you need to get done between the end of semester and now, and monitor your time wisely," Binen said. "If you set aside time every day to study just a little bit, than you'll do more successful on the test in the end."
An additional factor Binen said affects students' stress levels is the inability of many to narrow their thinking to what needs to be done today.
"When students look at life too far in advance, then everything can become overwhelming. It's important to set realistic limits, and realize you can't do everything," Binen said. "Decide what is essential to be done and what's not, and don't feel bad if you have to say no to any unreasonable requests.
"And remember, one paper or test does not determine your entire future -- it's all a matter of keeping things in perspective."
Counseling Services:
Students who need help relaxing, learning time management techniques, or are experiencing extreme levels of fatigue or stress can call 285-1736 from 8-5 p.m to set up an appointment.
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