Stay Calm and Ace that Final: Stress Hacks for Students

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Identify Stress Triggers
If you can identify what is causing your stress, then you can develop a plan for avoiding stress triggers or minimizing their impact. For example, students who are feeling overwhelmed with coursework or finals may need help with time management or to speak with their instructors about their concerns, Bloom said. Creating a plan for dealing with stress is one way to make it more manageable.
Seek Academic Support
If you’re stressed over exams and need additional help, campus departments like the Academic Advancement Center offer student services to address a variety of issues. Meeting with a residence advisor or counselor can also help. “Talk to your residence adviser about how they prepare for final exams and manage the end of semester stress,” said John Barnousky, Embry-Riddle Associate Director of Housing and Residential Life. “RAs balance many academic and work commitments and can be a great resource to provide tips for stress and time management.”
Maximize Campus Resources
Most schools provide a range of services to meet student mental health needs. The Embry-Riddle Counseling Center offers free counseling services, resources and support. The counseling center also is home to a certified facility dog named Peppino. Look for his picture on the center’s front door to see if he’s “in.” Peppino is available for brief walk-in office visits and can join students in counseling sessions by request.  “It has been clinically proven that petting, touching and talking to animals lowers a person’s blood pressure, relieves stress and eases depression,” Bloom said. The counseling center also offers anonymous online assessments and resources through ERNIE.
Take Care of Your Body
Exercise may be the hardest thing to make time for when your to-do list is a mile high, but 30 minutes of activity a day can reduce stress hormones, flood the body with endorphins and boost energy. ...

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