2008 Woodie Awards
Illini Media
WPGU
buzz
Illio
TechnographStudents aim to fight finals stress
By Megan McNamara
Posted: 11/29/06 Section: News
With finals looming, students are searching for ways to combat stress. Many try to distract themselves with tried-and-true forms of entertainment, such as TV, movies or music.
"When I get stressed, I go and rent an entire season of 'The Office' or 'Scrubs' and watch it straight through," said Anna Greene, sophomore in LAS.
However, there is no sure-fire way to beat the pressure. While conventional approaches may work for some, there are other ways to ease pre-finals tension. Some students prefer "slacklining," an activity in which webbing is strung between two trees and walked on, as a way to "balance" their stress levels.
According to the Illinois Slackliners Facebook group, "Slacklining goes down on the quad on all random days of the week. If you see webbing between two trees (usually on the far north side of the quad), stop, take off your shoes and walk the line."
Andy Migacz, sophomore in LAS, said that slacklining helps him focus and relieve stress.
"I like to think of it as meditation," said Clay Karz, junior in LAS. "You've gotta become one with the line."
For those comfortable with a more conventional approach to meditation and stress relief, the Oasis, located on the lower level of the Union, offers a host of services.
"The relaxation room at the Oasis takes students through 20-minute audio/visual guided imagery and progressive muscle relaxation," said Jennifer Carson, stress management coordinator at McKinley's Health Education Unit. "It's free and runs every half-hour Monday through Friday. Hopefully students can take advantage of it between finals as a way to chill out a bit."
Carson offered tips on how to prevent stress during finals and throughout the school year. She said that it is important to be realistic about one's schedule.
"Don't schedule a three-hour task in a one-hour time slot," Carson said. "And prepare. Make note cards and set up study sessions ahead of time."
Being better prepared allows more time for rejuvenating study breaks.
"When I get stressed, I go and rent an entire season of 'The Office' or 'Scrubs' and watch it straight through," said Anna Greene, sophomore in LAS.
However, there is no sure-fire way to beat the pressure. While conventional approaches may work for some, there are other ways to ease pre-finals tension. Some students prefer "slacklining," an activity in which webbing is strung between two trees and walked on, as a way to "balance" their stress levels.
According to the Illinois Slackliners Facebook group, "Slacklining goes down on the quad on all random days of the week. If you see webbing between two trees (usually on the far north side of the quad), stop, take off your shoes and walk the line."
Andy Migacz, sophomore in LAS, said that slacklining helps him focus and relieve stress.
"I like to think of it as meditation," said Clay Karz, junior in LAS. "You've gotta become one with the line."
For those comfortable with a more conventional approach to meditation and stress relief, the Oasis, located on the lower level of the Union, offers a host of services.
"The relaxation room at the Oasis takes students through 20-minute audio/visual guided imagery and progressive muscle relaxation," said Jennifer Carson, stress management coordinator at McKinley's Health Education Unit. "It's free and runs every half-hour Monday through Friday. Hopefully students can take advantage of it between finals as a way to chill out a bit."
Carson offered tips on how to prevent stress during finals and throughout the school year. She said that it is important to be realistic about one's schedule.
"Don't schedule a three-hour task in a one-hour time slot," Carson said. "And prepare. Make note cards and set up study sessions ahead of time."
Being better prepared allows more time for rejuvenating study breaks.
The Daily Illini encourages on-topic discussion through article commenting on its articles and blogs. It is our policy not to delete any comments based upon political or ideological point of view. However, we reserve the right to remove comments that are abusive, off-topic or use excessive foul language.
The posting of copyrighted material, including any and all content for which you are not the author, is illegal under Federal intellectual property laws. Such activity will not be tolerated. Comments containing copyrighted material will be removed, and continued violation of copyright law is grounds for being banned completely from commenting on DailyIllini.com.
If you feel any post meets these conditions or merits review, please e-mail our editors at meonline@dailyillini.com.