It’s the warm season, but for Pace University students, the delight of nearing summer break comes with the stress of preparing for final exams.
Finals weeks is well-known for being a time of frantic cramming, widespread panic and desperate all-nighters.
This semester, final exams will be held from May 7 to May 11. As these dates get closer, students have various ways of dealing with the stress that finals may bring.
Kim Allen, a junior psychology major, prefers to stay active to keep her mind off of exams.
“I have a final in every class…so that’s six finals I have to study for. Just thinking about it makes me anxious,” she said. “But usually to distress, I go to the gym and do an hour of cardio. I tend to alternate between the treadmill and the elliptical.”
Allen feels that physical activity leaves her feeling more focused. In fact, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, studies show that exercise is very effective at improving alertness/concentration and enhancing overall cognitive function.
“However I also distress by eating lots of late-night snacks from Perk and drinking some type of tea,” she added. “Generally, green tea since it’s considered to be a calming tea.”
Sophomore Taylor Bolger uses food to cope with the stress of exams as well but values the social experience of eating with other students.
“I’m dealing with my finals by grabbing food around campus with friends anytime that we’re feeling down. We make sure everyone is okay and try to help one another out.”
In addition to food and friends, Bolger also finds that long walks help her distress.
“After a few hours of studying, I’ll go outside and take a walk around the campus to refresh my brain. I normally take a walk at night since no one is around and that’s when the deer and rabbits tend to come out,” she said.
Bolger included that she makes sure not to stay up too late and expressed the significance of getting a good night’s rest.
On the other hand, it is important to remember that final exams do not have to be the source of considerable stress. Enelisse Hernandez, a sophomore nursing major says that her stress level regarding finals is “pretty mellow.”
“I think it’s because I’m super efficient, she explained. “I make a whole schedule for myself in my planner signifying what needs to get done throughout the day, and then I just do it.
Hernandez also added that having a positive attitude during finals week will reduce any stress.
“My mindset is that everything is going to be okay and that I will pass all of my exams. Remaining optimistic helps me find peace with any sort of anxiety I may have,” she said.
Fortunately, Pace offers many things for students to do during finals week to promote stress-reduction. For instance, Mortola Library supplies several cots for students to nap on when they need a break from studying. Also, the Programming Board hosts a spa event in the student center where students are given massages in addition to manicures and pedicures. Free and healthy snacks are provided, but the big draw lies in the animal-assisted therapy. For a few days before the start of exams, dogs are brought to the library or the student center for an hour or two. During this time, students are allowed to interact with the dogs, which helps the students decompress and ultimately enjoy finals.