With finals just around the corner, some students may be feeling more pressure and added stress.

Finals are not the only thing students have to worry about. Many students are juggling their academic courses, part-time or full-time jobs, campus organizations and homework while trying to maintain some sort of social life.

About 3,200 to 3,800 students are employed on campus and can work up to 20 hours per week. Students are by no means required to work, said Steve Cunningham, associate vice president of Administration and Human Resources.

Many students do make the choice to take on jobs, adding to their time commitments.

Lisa Korkowski is a junior elementary education major taking 18 credit hours and works between 16 and 21 hours per week. She also spends at least an hour per week involved with Sigma Alpha Iota as its fundraising chair and eight hours a week practicing in the marching band. In addition, she still must find time for homework and some sort of a social life.

Homework is especially time consuming and can vary anywhere from a couple hours per night to pulling all-nighters once or twice a week, she said.

Juggling all of these activities becomes more difficult as finals loom.

On a scale of one to 10 with 10 being the most stressful, Korkowski feels she is at a six or seven regularly. Korkowski feels the number would be off the charts during finals week.

There are things students can do to cope with stress.

Practicing muscle relaxing exercises and healthy eating as well as getting enough sleep, talking with someone and practicing time management are all effective ways for treating stress, said Eunice Kim, a staff psychologist at the Counseling and Student Development Center.

There also are health effects stress can have, including migraines, ulcers, colds, gastrointestinal problems and irritable bowel syndrome, among others.

With such serious consequences, students are trying out new ways to manage stress.

Korkowski uses power naps, typically 20 minutes each, on a regular basis and takes some time out for herself.

“I definitely need a little bit of break time so that my head clears,” Korkowski said. Typically, she fills her break time with friends, surfing the Internet or watching television.

NIU offers services on campus for students having problems with stress.

The Counseling and Student Development Center has walk-in hours from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

They also host stress management workshops on a regular basis. Those wanting more information can contact Eunice Kim from the Counseling and Student Development Center at 753-1206.

“It’s important that students seek help early and practice ways to manage stress,” Kim said.