Stressing the Test
By Aaron Vasquez
[dropcap]E[/dropcap]arlier this year, a Harvard student tried to get out of his finals by falsely reporting a bomb threat. Friends and family said he was under intense pressure to pass.
And at the University of Georgia, two students posted a Craigslist ad looking for a hit man to run over them with a car.
“We do not want to die, we just want to be injured enough to get out of taking our finals here at UGA. Please do not kill,” they wrote.
Stress and anxiety has risen among college-age millennials, according to the American Psychological Association.
A 2013 survey by the APA found that young adults are more stressed than at any other age, with the largest stressor being work and money coming in second.
The survey also showed that about half the people between the ages of 18 to 33 have been kept awake at night because of stress, and that 69 percent of them saw their stress increase compared to last year.
But with the added pressures of needing to make ends meet, students might not have enough time for themselves.
[quote]“I’ve had a lot more all nighters than I can count,” Santa Ana College student Sean Flannigan said. “I’ve had no social life and have not had a day to myself.”[/quote]
Distractions like walking, watching TV and listening to music can help reduce anxiety, said Nissa Chantana of SAC psychological services.
The APA also advises reaching out to friends and family if the burden becomes too much.
Students also deal with tight deadlines and work schedules.
“It’s just the feeling of having to rush to get everything in on time,” SAC student Rebecca Garcia said. “I work and I have school, so I have no time for anything.”
One of the most effective stress reducers is proper time management, Chantana said.
“I have three finals and it’s not bothering me,” SAC student David Ortiz said. “I’ve just planned everything ahead.”
A popular new trend on college campuses is having “puppy rooms,” where students can go interact with dogs to take their minds off finals. SAC and SCC had one last semester during finals week, and will try and continue this tradition.
“Last year we provided booklets, Scantrons and food,” ASG president Jorge Sandoval said. “But this semester we are going to provide puppies and kittens to help reduce stress.”
Proven Relievers
1 Calming down is as easy as eating chocolate. Research shows that dark chocolate reduces levels of stress hormones and “fight or flight” hormones.
2 Petting your pooch not only makes your dog happy, but also relieves stress. Dogless? A puppy petting pen will be set up at SAC during finals week.
3 Getting out of the library and into the park reduces anxiety and improves memory and attention. Try Centennial Park a few miles from campus.
4 Set aside an hour of the day to do whatever makes you happy, whether it’s a shopping trip, going to a movie or eating a comfort meal.
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