TIGER TV ONLINE REPORTER
Various caffeine sources, urges to drop out and black circles under eyes are typical of the nocturnal routine students undergo during midterm week.
“I have five midterms this week,” said Rob Derenbecker, a finance sophomore.
Kathy Saichuck, the Wellness Education Coordinator, said learning to deal with stress is critical to health maintenance.
“One of the systems most directly affected by stress is our immune system,” she said. “Chronic stress can result in our immune systems being reduced therefore we are much more susceptible to illness, fatigue, loss of appetite, anxiety and depression.”
Saichuck said lack of sleep, a poor diet and lack of exercise will affect the body’s ability to fight stress.
Max Wahoske, a biological science junior, said he’s stayed up all night most of this week.
“I’m pretty damn stressed,” he said. “I should have started studying at least a week earlier.”
While Wahoske smokes to deal with stress, Derenbecker said he’s been exercising.
“I try to find time in the mornings,” he said.
Saichuck said exercise is critical for the body during stressful times.
“Exercise relaxes you and your brain is going to function better after you stimulate it with something like exercise,” she said. “
Some students rely on energy drinks for caffeine, but Saichuk said the energy drinks can indirectly affect performance.
“Lack of sleep [due to energy drinks] affects the ability of the brain to function optimally resulting in decreased memory and recall and increasing confusion and anxiety,” she said.
Annie Saucier, an accounting sophomore, said she tries to take a lot of breaks while studying.
“I’ll eat a snack or talk to my roommate,” she said.
Saichuck recommends fruits, vegetables and foods low in carbs as snacks.
“Refined sugars and greasy snacks that are high in carbs can make you sleepy,” she said.
Time management is also important to controlling stress, Saichuk said.
“I am a big scheduler,” Saucier said. “I plan out every minute and don’t sleep until I get it done.”
However, Saucier also has to manage time for work.
“Balancing work and school adds to the stress so I have less time to dedicate to school,” she said.
Saichuk encourages students to target stress inducers.
“Recognize your stressors and learn healthy methods to deal with your stress,” she said. “If the stress becomes too much, seek professional help.”
The Student Health Center Mental Health Department offers counselors for students dealing with mental effects of stress.
Saichuck said one of the most important ways to avoid stress is to find a comfortable place to experience calm.
“It’s important to have a spiritual connection in our lives and I think for each person that can be very different,” she said. “It may come from organized religions or it may be from having that special place you can escape to where we feel a calmness or comfort in our lives of someone putting their arms around you and giving support.”
