Latoya Young
Blue & White Flash / Staff Writer
Mid-terms are in two weeks and many students will soon be under the stress of studying for exams.
According to Francis Horton-White, a therapist at the Latasha Norman Center for Counseling & Psychological Services Center, stress is your physical, emotional, and mental responses to change, regardless of whether the change is good or bad.
“Many college students experience test anxiety during mid-terms or finals. In fact, when preparing to take mid-terms or finals, a little stress may be inevitable. Fortunately, there are low-stress study tips to help students effectively manage stress during exams,” said Horton-White.
She also stated that without some stress, people wouldn’t get a lot done. The extra burst of adrenaline is what helps an individual finish a research paper, win at sports, or meet any other challenge. This is called positive stress. It’s a short-term physiological tensing and added mental alertness that subsides when the challenge is met, enabling you to relax and carry on with normal activities.
“However, when you can’t return to a relaxed state, this stress becomes negative. The changes in your body; increased heart rate, higher blood pressure, and stomach and muscle tension, start to take their toll and may lead to mental and physical exhaustion and illness.”
Other signs of stress include: problems eating or sleeping, increased use of alcohol or drugs, problems making decisions; increased procrastination, becoming anxious and confused over unimportant events, the inability to concentrate or pay attention in class, inability to get organized or experiencing test anxiety, changes in your exercise habits and frequent headaches.
“Using the analogy of a rubber band, positive stress is just the right amount of stress needed to make it useful. Negative stress snaps the band,” said Horton-White.
Some may turn to smoking, alcohol or drugs to relieve their stress but these short-term solutions eventually cause even more stress. Long-term use of prescription medications can result in dependency or adverse side effects and some supplements can have similar problems or interact with other drugs.
The key to reducing stress is to prevent it. Getting enough sleep, a proper diet, avoiding excess caffeine and other stimulants and taking time out to relax may be helpful in this regard.
Horton-White suggests that students have a medical checkup for any physical symptoms and try stress reduction techniques to relax and regain perspective. If relaxation or returning to healthy habits is still difficult, students may want to come to the Latasha Norman Center for a consultation with the staff.
Jackson State University students shared their stress reducing techniques.
“To reduce stress, I laugh and exercise more,” said Ivory Wade, a freshman biology/pre-physical therapy major from Little Rock, Ark.
Lazandra Williams a freshman biology pre-medicine major from Little Rock, Ark. said, “I take time out for myself in order to prevent stress.”
Monica Cotton a sophomore computer engineering major from Jackson, Miss. said, “I hang out out with friends, read a book, or find other things to pass time.”
