Finals week is fast approaching and stress levels are bound to be high. The key to avoid burnout isn’t to study until you drop, but to build a rhythm that keeps your brain alert, your emotions steady and your body healthy to avoid collapsing into academic dust.
With the winter season also being a time of increased depression, it is vital to find healthy ways to to deal with stress and seasonal depression.
When studying remember to take breaks, stay hydrated and have a snack handy. Keep study sessions around two to three hours at a time to avoid stress and burning out.
According to Student Wellness, a division of Counseling and Consultation Services, reducing stress is important. Some of their recommended ideas to cope with and reduce stress include: listening to music, eating a healthy snack, exercise, positive socialization, meditation, breathing exercises, taking breaks, adequate sleep and recreation.
Events and Resources
To help prepare students for the upcoming finals week, the Founders Memorial library is hosting “Stress Less” at Founders from Monday to Dec. 10.
The goal of the event is to help students take a break and unwind and there will be a number of activities throughout the library to help students de-stress.
These hands-on activities include kinetic sand, LEGO building, a community puzzle and coloring pages. For a full list of activities and events visit the library’s website.
Crash Out Course, hosted by Student Wellness, is a workshop helping students deal with stress. It also will go over how to avoid burning and spiraling out of control. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to noon Friday in Room 250 of the Holmes Student Center.
Student Wellness is also hosting Chilling with Chase and friends! from 1 p.m to 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Holmes Student Center OASIS Space. During this time, students will be able to hang out with therapy dog Chase to de-stress and unwind.
The Counseling and Consultation services also have a number of other tools for assisting with student mental health. Call 815-753-1206 or visit their website to connect. You can also connect with them from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in Room 200 of the Peters Campus Life Building.
Another fun event hosted by Gender and Sexuality Resource Center (GSRC) is the “Goyle” Luck on Finals! tradition. According to the center visiting the gargoyle by Altgeld Hall, dubbed Olive Goyal, you can ask her for good luck on your finals. Students wishing to participate will meet at 4 p.m. at the GSRC, located in the Campus Life Building Room 132. Hot chocolate will be available for free on a first come, first serve basis.
