While students study diligently for finals, Erin Halloran will be watching “Heroes” on her computer, drinking beer and chain smoking to cope with the stress of finals week.University students typically feel more stress during finals week, said Kathy Saichuk, Wellness Education coordinator, and students have different ways to deal with the tension.To deal with her stress, Barbara Rodriguez, food science and technology sophomore, takes a more health-conscious approach to anxiety.”I try to set some time for me and go to the University Recreation,” Rodriguez said. Ashley Messina, political science freshman, said she gets stressed because final exams are more important than other tests throughout the semester.”All the tests are at once,” Messina said. “They count for more.”During exam week, students sleep less and do not eat as healthy as usual, Saichuk said. Julia Buckner, assistant psychology professor, said some anxiety during finals week isn’t always bad.”Small doses of additional stress could help motivate students,” Buckner said. “Students will be less likely to do things that will distract them from their work.”If pressure becomes too much for a student, the results could be negative, Buckner said.”If stress gets too high, it could undermine student performance,” Buckner said. “They may try to self-medicate by drinking too much or using drugs.”To handle stress during finals week, Saichuk advises students to take a break during long periods of studying.”You should have 30 to 40 minutes of studying then a 5 to 10 minute break,” Saichuk said. Students should also get full nights of sleep during finals week, Saichuk said.”Our mind does not function properly when we do not rest,” Saichuk said. “When you are tired, it is difficult to recall information.”Saichuk said a few hours of cramming for an exam can help a student, but too much cramming can hurt.”A bit of cramming is not totally bad, but you cannot depend on cramming to learn all of the material before a test,” Saichuk said. Saichuk said students should stop studying on the way to their finals.”The best thing to do is once you start walking to take your exam — close your book,” Saichuk said. “Taking time to get your mind off of studying helps reduce negative chemicals that are secreted during stress.”Saichuk advises students to “take time to take a break, watch your eating and drink lots of water” during finals week to remain stress free. —-Contact Michael Lambert at [email protected]