Experts share tips for end-of-semester stress relief
By Marissa Shea
Observer Contributor
A quiet walk is a good way to de-stress.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, the move to online instruction, and final exams approaching, many students are more stressed than ever. In this article, three experts will provide advice on how to make it through finals season with self-care tips such as getting enough sleep, exercising, and rewarding yourself for your accomplishments.
Melissa Manzi, the school’s mental health counselor, is available remotely for all students through phone calls or Zoom counseling sessions. Manzi specializes in helping students deal with problems, especially stress. She is often very busy helping students, so it is usually best to make an appointment through iConnect or by email at M_manzi@mass.mwcc.edu.
Manzi has several tips to help students manage stress, especially during finals season. She recommends that students create a very specific schedule for themselves, down to the hour, of each task they need to do.
“When you write things down it tends to relieve the stress by just seeing where you can put it,” said Manzi. “A lot of times students are so overwhelmed, they are not sure what their week looks like, when they’re going to do assignments, or what they need to do.”
Manzi also stressed that students need to get enough sleep, especially before exams. Many students develop the habit of cramming before an exam. According to Manzi, this is not the best idea and students need to get a healthy amount of sleep.
“If there’s one thing I could recommend to students, it’s to get sufficient sleep because everything your brain and body need is replenished during sleep and there are numerous studies showing that when students don’t get enough sleep, they don’t do as well on their exams,” Manzi said.
Kristen Hickey, an instructor in the Practical Nursing Program, also has several tips on surviving final exams in the nursing program.
Hickey said, “I definitely think self-care is vital to making it through the nursing program, and exercising, even if it’s walking for ten or fifteen minutes every day, making sure to eat right, getting enough sleep, as well as taking time to do something you enjoy.”
According to Hickey, students become so stressed with completing assignments on time and passing their classes that they forget to take care of themselves.
“Do not try and power study through things,” she said. “Work out a schedule when you are going to study, and hopefully by doing some of these stress relievers and incorporating that into your routine it will be helpful”
Candela Trillas, a nineteen-year-old business major, said “finals are always the hardest time of the year for me. I am working two jobs, taking five classes and trying to complete all my assignments on time. The stress of everything can quickly become overwhelming.”
According to Trillas, it is important to reward yourself when you have accomplished your goals.
“When I finish an assignment, or have been working on homework for a few hours, I reward myself with my favorite snack or by watching something on Netflix. This makes studying a little bit more bearable.”
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