Fight exam stress
Mindy Miracle
Issue date: 12/1/08 Section: News
That time of year is here again. The weather is cold, noses are red and the hot chocolate is flowing as hearts are filled with a familiar song, the one that begins with tis' the season to be… stressed? Wait, that can't be right? Can it?
However, for many college students this is the same familiar tune that they hear over and over again at the end of each semester as their final exams approach. The tension is high as students round the bend to the final stretch of the semester.
The stress and anxiety that goes hand-in-hand during exam times is growing immensely for many students. With all of the class assignments and projects that are due, how can students find the time to manage their stress effectively in order to study
for their exams?
Dr. Carol Ballard of the Florida Southern College counseling center suggests that students, "study up until now; don't leave it until the last minute and be prepared."
However, most students are prone to procrastinate and put off
every little assignment until it is down to crunch time. Then, the stress piles on enormously during the students' efforts to finish the assignments and turn them in on time.
For procrastination prone students to relieve stress and anxiety Ballard said, "one of the best things to do for test anxiety is to go to tutor tables, study skills workshops and student success services."
"Get adequate sleep the night before the exam. If your exam is a morning exam, eat breakfast. If it is an afternoon exam, then eat lunch," Ballard said. "Glance through the entire test before you start so that there aren't any surprises. Know how much time you have and pace yourself appropriately. If you get anxious, take a minute to put down your pen or pencil and take a few slow, deep breaths."
To talk to Ballard or one of her colleagues, can call the FSC Counseling Center at extension 6236 to schedule an appointment. The FSC counseling center's hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m , and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
However, for many college students this is the same familiar tune that they hear over and over again at the end of each semester as their final exams approach. The tension is high as students round the bend to the final stretch of the semester.
The stress and anxiety that goes hand-in-hand during exam times is growing immensely for many students. With all of the class assignments and projects that are due, how can students find the time to manage their stress effectively in order to study
for their exams?
Dr. Carol Ballard of the Florida Southern College counseling center suggests that students, "study up until now; don't leave it until the last minute and be prepared."
However, most students are prone to procrastinate and put off
every little assignment until it is down to crunch time. Then, the stress piles on enormously during the students' efforts to finish the assignments and turn them in on time.
For procrastination prone students to relieve stress and anxiety Ballard said, "one of the best things to do for test anxiety is to go to tutor tables, study skills workshops and student success services."
"Get adequate sleep the night before the exam. If your exam is a morning exam, eat breakfast. If it is an afternoon exam, then eat lunch," Ballard said. "Glance through the entire test before you start so that there aren't any surprises. Know how much time you have and pace yourself appropriately. If you get anxious, take a minute to put down your pen or pencil and take a few slow, deep breaths."
To talk to Ballard or one of her colleagues, can call the FSC Counseling Center at extension 6236 to schedule an appointment. The FSC counseling center's hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m , and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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