USD faculty offer tips for de-stressing during finals

With finals week officially starting Thursday, University of South Dakota faculty are encouraging students to take time for themselves throughout the week.

Lauren Schuur, coordinator of prevention services at the USD Student Counseling Center, said she encourages students to take part in the finals week activities held throughout the week in the Muenster University Center.

“Students should definitely participate in the events the university sponsors,” Schuur said. “Both the de-stress day and being able to play with the animals are good things the university provides.”

She said students should make a schedule noting exactly when they’re going to study and when all their exams are and then take time to themselves.

“Whether it be working out, going for a walk or just doing something you enjoy, make sure you aren’t studying 24-7,” Schuur said. “Don’t give up the things you like to do, even if it’s just watching a movie. Take the two hours out of your day to do that. Make sure you’re spending time with other people.”

Senior Lacey Leichtnam said she has learned the importance of not spending her whole day studying during finals week.

“I definitely take time to make sure I’m sleeping enough,” Leichtnam said. “I also make sure I get away from my books and just hang out with my friends and watch movies.”

Schuur said students need to make sure they’re eating a well-balanced, nutritional diet during finals week and to make sure they’re sleeping seven to eight hours per night. She also said exercise is a big stress reliever.

Wendy Johnson, assistant director of fitness and aquatics at the Wellness Center, said exercise offers many stress-relieving benefits.

“Exercise reduces muscular tension, increases endorphins, improves your mood, regulates your sleep and improves concentration,” Johnson said. “These are just some of the reasons that it’s a good way to reduce stress.”

As for which type of exercise is the best stress reliever, Johnson said there is not one that is better than another.

“Any fitness class or activity is going to reduce stress, as long as it’s something they enjoy,” she said. “Say you don’t like running. If you go run, you’re just adding stress because you don’t like it.”

While many people enjoy mind and body classes which add breath to their movements to increase relaxation, some people just can’t relax to enjoy yoga, Johnson said.

“Those people need to be moving, so they should try exercise that engages their muscular strength or cardio,” Johnson said. “Other people are motivated by great music and choreography, so they should try a Zumba class.”

If students are using exercise to relieve stress, Johnson suggests doing it regularly and doing whatever type of exercise they most enjoy.

“Pencil it into your schedule and partner with a friend because they’ll hold you accountable,” she said. “Do whatever you love and get hooked on it.”

Schuur recommends yoga or simple breathing techniques to calm high anxiety or panic.

“You can escape somewhere mentally and gather your thoughts,” she said.

Other tips for students who are already dealing with high levels of stress include using lavender- or cotton-scented products, drinking tea and journaling.

Schuur said the counselors at the counseling center are also available all week if students would like to talk to a counselor one-on-one.

She also said just being out in nature or listening to music can help students relieve stress and escape from their studying.

“Coloring and drawing are also huge stress relievers, as childish as it may sound,” Schuur said.

Before students head into their finals, Schuur said they should eat peppermints, almonds or bananas, which are all considered brain foods and will help them focus and concentrate during their tests.

As she prepares for her first finals week, first-year Morgan Piehl said she’s already stressed.

“I can’t seem to get enough of the library lately,” she said. “My mom sent me a care package, though, so reading the letter inside was really nice.”

Piehl said she has started finding ways to handle her stress and that she will be going to play with the puppies at “Pet Your Stress Away” Wednesday in the MUC Pit Lounge.

“My sorority’s Christmas party was a big stress reliever because it gave me some time off of having to worry about studying all night,” Piehl said. “Even just talking to my family over the phone or texting my mom while I study is some emotional relief.”

Leichtnam, on the other hand, is preparing for her seventh finals week and said she has some advice she can offer to underclassmen.

“Realize what’s realistic and practical for studying,” she said. “Give yourself time for sleep and taking care of yourself.”