Students De-stress In Preparation For Finals

When finals come around, it's no surprise that students look for the best way to relieve stress. At UConn, the resources on campus are plentiful and provide students with the help that they need. This is why many students gathered together at Towers Dining Hall to listen to Joleen Nevers, the Health Education Complex director, on different ways to release the stresses they have due to demanding college final exam schedules.

"I just really needed to blow off some steam," said Hunter Smith, a 1st-semester mathematics student at UConn. "This was a great way to get tips on how to do that."

Nevers, who has run events to help students adjust to difficulties through their college years, such as "The Break Up Workshop," gave tips on how to get through the coming finals week, including breathing techniques and relaxation tips to help students feel more prepared for the hectic week of finals.

Nevers and the Health Education complex weren't the only student services that participated in the event, however. The Women's Center and Recreational Services were also a part of the gathering to help all different kinds of students. Angela Matthews, a 5th-semester Spanish major, felt that the women's center was a vital part of the event.

"It's really nice to see the campus always giving something back to the students," Matthews said. The harder things get in life the harder it is to focus on what you need to be focusing on. It was cool."

All of the students in attendance gathered together to get an understanding of how to deal with college and realized that everyone experiences the stress that comes along with studying hard for exams.

Brian Lewendowski, a 7th-semester chemistry major, was so happy to see students focusing on what would help them be successful.

"I never really thought about how important it was to stay relaxed, but the more I use the information they had, the more I feel relieved already," he said. "I just can't wait until all of this is over. I just want to go back to having regular classes, and not all these exams. It's gonna be a lot easier once it's done."

Suggested ways to relax that students enjoyed most were reading, going to the recreational center and working out (which releases endorphons) and taking time out to get well rested and enjoy some activities on campus in between studying.

And although for now, students must stay fixated on the responsibilities that come with going to college and working towards a degree in their chosen field, it's wonderful to know that UConn is so dedicated to keeping students relaxed, focused and most of all, stress free.

Contact Melissa Vega at Melissa.Vega@UConn.edu.