final paper

WSU students seek help for stress on a daily basis at the campus counseling center but that number seems to increase during dead week and finals, said Scott Case, WSU Counseling psychologist and coordinator of the Stress Management Program.

On average the WSU counseling services see about 5 to 10 students a day for stress, Case said. He said during dead week and finals, stress tends to be a main focus of counseling visits. Case said stress is caused by problems an individual is facing and the pressure to perform well academically isn’t any different.

Annie Althauser, an elementary education major, said she thinks students’ stress levels are higher during finals because the grade they earn on that last test can make or break their grade in the class.

There are many ways stress can manifest; it can affect our thoughts, bodies, and behaviors, Case said. People are as unique as finger prints or snowflakes causing everyone to be affected by stress a little differently, he said. Case said stress can cause an individual to experience trouble concentrating and trouble sleeping. He said stress can also affect ones emotional stability which can cause nervousness and irritability.

Students will often have trouble accessing memorized information and the ability to retain new information, he said. Case said this is caused by the hormones adrenalin and cortisol which are released into the body affecting the parts of the brain that control learning and focus. He said these hormones will also affect the limbic system which affects mood and the prefrontal cortex which affects judgment.

Stress can also affect an individual physically, Case said. Stress can cause an individual to experience muscle tension, headaches, and become more susceptible to illness, he said. Case said these all can affect a student’s ability to perform academically.

There are ways to help prevent and treat stress, Case said. He suggests eating healthy, working out, and getting enough sleep. He also suggests taking frequent breaks while studying and engaging in activities that the individual finds relaxing. Case said doing deep breathing exercises can also help because it lowers cortisol levels. He also suggests visiting www.counsel.wsu.edu for stress management techniques or participating in the WSU Counseling Services Stress Management Program.

Althauser said she works out to relieve stress because it allows her to get away from the books and release built up tension.

Economics professor Patricia Kuzyk said in order to deal with stress it is important to have friends to talk to.

“A feeling of isolation can make everything worse,” she said.

While following these steps will help with stress it does not replace good study habits throughout the semester, Case said. He said maintaining good study habits will help lessen the work load when it is time for finals.

Kuzyk agrees that good study habits can make finals much less stressful. If a student leaves a large amount of work till the end the work load could be impossible to accomplish, she said.

“At that point it is important to realize it isn’t possible and pick out what is most important and at least accomplish that,” Kuzyk said.

Althauser said good study habits she uses to prevent stress are planning ahead and making lists of what needs to be done and prioritize them.

“Crossing stuff off my lists gives me a sense of accomplishment,” she said.

Other habits Althauser said she has found affective are studying with others and studying in a quite place free of distractions. She also said to spread out study sessions and avoid cramming.

Kuzyk suggests taking an active approach to studying.

“Just reading is worthless,” she said.

Students need to be thinking about what kinds of questions they’ll be asked and be able to explain why the answer is correct, Kuzyk said.

If stress persists it can roll over into burn out which is when an individual feels as though any attempt to fix the problem is useless, Case said. Case explained when an individual is experiencing burn out they feel hopeless. Too much stress can be incapacitating, he said.

While it is clear that stress can have a negative affect on an individual it can also have a positive impact, Case said. Stress is a natural arousal response which helps us to function in a crisis or emergency, he said. A healthy amount of stress can help motivate an individual, he said.

Althauser admits that a small amount of stress helps her not to procrastinate.

Contacts:
Name: Counselor Scott Case (Interviewed in person)
Phone: 335-4511

Name: Instructor Patricia Kuzyk (Interviewed in person)
Email: pkuzyk@wsu.edu

Name: student Annie Althauser (Interviewed in person)
Phone: (425) 443-0418
Email: anniealthauser@yahoo.com

Outline:
Students seen for stress at the wsu counseling services
- Seen everyday for stress
- numbers tend to increase during the dead week and finals
- stress is induced by other issues students face
- Why finals cause stress

Repercussions of stress
Counselor
-affects on body
-affects on mood/ behavior
- how these affects have on academics

Prevent stress
Counselor’s advice
-eat healthy
- exercise
- take brakes
- hobbies
Instructors advice
-study along the way
- have a support system

What can we do to treat stress
Counselor
- Same steps to prevent
- Come talk to a counselor
Instructor
-talk to a friend
Student
-workout

Importance of study habits
Counselor
-doesn’t replace good study habits
Instructor
-study along the way
- Realize what you can and cannot get done in the time you are given
Student
- make lists and prioritize

When you experience too much stress
counselor
-tend to give up feel hopeless

Healthy stress
- positive affect on academics and personal drive