With just one week left before exams begin, students are shifting into full study mode. This week, the focus across campus is not just on how students are preparing academically, but also on how they’re managing stress and what resources are helping them survive the busiest time of the semester.
I don’t know how you are feeling but this year’s finals season feels particularly intense for many students. Between heavy course loads, a semester that felt shorter than usual, and multiple exams or projects, stress levels are undeniably high. One student who is choosing to remain anonymous shared that this is “the most overwhelmed I’ve felt all semester,” emphasizing that the pressure seems to build earlier and heavier each year.
Students are taking creative approaches to studying, ranging from solo quiet sessions to group review meetups. Campus study spaces are filling up quickly, with certain locations becoming student favorites. The library has been especially popular, along with lounges in academic buildings and local coffee shops. As Alexsandra Xique Tello explained, “I need a place that feels calm, so I always go to the library’s quiet zone. It helps me focus without distractions.”
Many students have expressed that finals season stresses them out. There are some ways that they can manage the stress that they are feeling. According to MayoClinic, here are 10 ways that you can manage stress:
- Get active
- Eat a healthy diet
- Meditate
- Laugh more
- Connect with others
- Get enough sleep
- Seek counseling
- Keep a journal
- Try yoga
- Be creative
As finals week approaches, one message stands out: no one has to go through it alone. With the right tools, resources, and support students are more than capable of finishing the semester strong!
