Huntington News

Issue date: 12/6/06 Section: Campus Life

Media Credit: staff photo

Media Credit: News Staff Illustration/Aram Boghosian

Radios around the city continuously remind us that "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." But cramming for finals has college students questioning how wonderful these few weeks before the holidays really are.

Freshman international affairs major Emily Esposito said finals are stressing her out more this year than they did in high school.

"Some professors make clear what's going to be on the test, which helps, but others just say 'know anything from the book and lectures'," Esposito said.

The fact that grades from finals count more than they did in high school is another stress-inducing factor, she said.

Freshmen, who have never experienced college finals, may have a more difficult time than other students, said Jason Gregoire, a senior political science major. Gregoire said as a freshman he was more stressed about academics than he is now, despite the stress of preparing for his upcoming graduation.

"Freshman year you have no idea what to look for [when studying]," he said. "You make fundamental errors then. But now I have it down to a science."

However, Susan Conover, administrative coordinator for the school of journalism, said she has never seen a direct correlation between a student's stress level and their academic year. She said "learning how to cope with stress is an important skill to have, not only in academics, but in life."

Gregoire, like many seniors, is experiencing stress outside the realm of academics and learning just how important his stress management skills are.

"I just finished applying to law schools, which was extremely stressful with the recommendation letters and LSATs, and I have to find a job to pay for rent before I go to law school," he said. "I've learned how to deal with stress a lot better. I know how to calm down [when it comes to school work]. Now it's the real world side of things that freaks me out."

Conover said it is important for students to realize it is OK to be stressed out as long as they learn how to deal with it.

"Often stress stems from the fact that we do not have enough time to do all the tasks we set out to do," she said, "Time management is an essential factor in reducing stress."

Conover advises students to check out the services that University Health and Counseling Services offers, including counseling and sessions on time and stress management. She also advised there are many other organizations that can help teach students how to deal with stress. Residence Life is one of those groups.

Amethyst Charette, Residence Director for Smith Hall, organized a fair last Wednesday called "Stressing… Healthy Lifestyles Fair."

"Typically at this time, students are getting stressed," she said. "Students don't go out as much and spend more time indoors. They might get annoyed at being inside and party harder. We're trying to provide an alternative base."

Representatives from departments like spiritual life and campus recreation came to the fair to provide de-stressing options. Charette said these groups tried to identify the ways students get stressed so they could work to alleviate it.

Charette said she suggests stressed students take time for themselves, get lots of rest, go to the gym and "stay as active as possible."

Making a list of everything that needs to get done is particularly effective in staying organized, which will further help prevent stress, Charette said. She said students who feel bogged down by the cold weather can venture into the city indoor for entertainment in the winter, from plays to restaurants.

Shelly Jankowski-Smith, Director of Spiritual Life, said she also notices "a fairly high stress level in students, which accelerates toward the end of the semester."

Jankowski-Smith said she suggests students seek assistance in stress management through various university programs.

Spiritual Life will host a number of events in the Sacred Space during finals week, she said. There will be a holiday movie fest today, a relax and renew meditation, and peaceful and restorative yoga from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 12 and a nap day on Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Esposito said in addition to the university's offerings, administration could do more to help alleviate the stress.

"It would definitely help if administrators required teachers to give references for what will be on the exam," she said. "Also, if upperclassmen came and spoke about how they've dealt with stress it would be helpful instead of adults who don't know what it's like anymore."

Freshman English major Megan Powers and freshman criminal justice major Lindsey Holland said they agree the administration could do more to provide a reasonable study schedule for students.

"I have my hardest test the first Friday and if we had the whole weekend [to study] it would be a lot easier," Holland said.

Powers said she feels Northeastern's lone reading day should be stretched into a longer period of time like many other colleges.

"I don't see why we have a week and a half for finals," Powers said. "No one has a final on every single day. We should push finals to the end of the week and have more reading days."

Regardless of administrative efforts, Conover said, "The only thing I can emphasize is to seek help if you feel overwhelmed. There are services out there to help students and one of the best things you can do for yourself is to ask for help when you need it."

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