The heavy workload that is experienced midsemester can be challenging for even the most dedicated of students.
“I have two tests, I’ve got a paper coming up, I’m just swamped with work right now,” said freshman John McClane.
“I’m stressed out to a point I’ve never been stressed out to before.”
Stresscure.com has some unsettling facts about stress in Americans.
According to the website, it is not uncommon for one to experience exceptionally high levels of stress within a single two-week period, which, ironically, is the span of midterms for most students.
Building up stress is inevitable, but the real secret is how to handle it in a healthy manner.
Aboutstressmanagement.com provides detailed tips on how to prevent stress and more importantly how to deal with it once it has already taken effect.
One of the tips that the website suggests to alleviate stress is yoga.
“[Yoga] combines physical activity with mental exercises to help you ward off stress,” the website states.
“Yoga includes exercises, breathing techniques and meditation, all of which help you fight stress.”
Losing sleep is never listed as a suggested strategy, and yet, forgoing sleep is exactly what many college kids do during this busy period.
“Often times I lose sleep over stress,” said senior Emily Williams.
Williams isn’t the only one. Studies have been done on how those who experience high levels of stress and anxiety often shorten their sleep cycles without realizing it.
“I don’t sleep that much because I’m stressed,” said freshman Jenna Lazarus.
“I’ve gotten sick before from not sleeping.”
Whether it’s your first year or your eighth, the first thing to be sacrificed is that precious REM time.
Like many others, Lazarus has most of her exams within one short time period.
The bulk of student’s exams and projects are usually due by the end of October or the beginning of November.
Kristina DeMichael, a junior, also has her exams during the beginning of November. “I’m probably going to stay up [studying] with lots of coffee.”
Richard Solomon can be reached at richard.solomon@spartans.ut.edu.