A holiday workload combined with finals can mean stress for students.
Three out of every five college students are affected by school-related stress, according to The College Student Journal. Out of those students affected by school stress, for half of them, the stress is test-related.
Stress is the emotional and physical strain caused by pressure. Common stress reactions include tension, irritability, inability to concentrate and a variety of physical symptoms that include headache and a fast heartbeat.
“It’s almost impossible to live without some stress,” Caron Breckel, professor of Health Information said. “And most of us wouldn’t want to, because it gives life some spice and excitement. But if stress gets out of control, it may harm your health, your relationships and your enjoyment of life.”
So it comes as no surprise that students become overwhelmed as the semester draws to a close with a comprehensive test over information from the entire semester.
“Final’s week, a week full of exams aimed at testing what we have learned over a semester’s worth of knowledge, I feel an ulcer coming on,” Justin Bradford, TJC sophomore said. “I can’t help but stress myself out. So much information in such little time.”
TJC’s library becomes a safe haven for students allowing them to lose themselves in studying. A practice in which, depending on the individual, can last from 10 minutes to hours. Tutors become scarce, and some books are opened for the first time all semester.
“Final’s time means not an empty chair in sight. Students flock to us cause of habit,” Candy Dyson, Outreach Services Librarian said. “We provide a quiet environment ideal for studying, complete with a variety of textbook assistance, and tutor-run study sessions at almost every table.”
Fall semester finals are accompanied by the holiday season, providing a challenge for some employed students. Students take on a heavier workload both at work due to season demand and at school in preparation for exams.”TJC has a diverse student body ranging from ages 18 to 88. Some have families to support so they work to provide for their families and find the overtime worthwhile,” Dyson said. “While others use their job as an excuse for their poor study habits.”
Some praise these extra hours at work as a way to afford holiday shopping.
“Extra hours at work keep my mind off studying, giving me an escape from the pages of my Biology book,” Julianne Harper, TJC returning sophomore said. “It’s a vacation I truly need, plus I get extra holiday money.”
Others, however, view the increase as a burden, taking away valuable studying time.
“I have to work to pay tuition. So around the holidays, I get up to 30 hours a week will taking 17 hours of classes,” Bradford said. “I have to try and balance my job with my studying, without giving up one over the other. The last month of each semester, I’m the poster child for stress.”