Avoid stress to do your best during finals week

It's that time of the year -- scantrons being passed out left and right, last-minute term papers feverishly being typed up, and not an empty spot in the library. Yes folks, it's finals week.

With exams looming overhead, there's no doubt that UCF students are experiencing enough stress to turn any student into a nail-biting, hair-pulling maniac. Yet while this battle of the brain is inevitable, it doesn't mean students can't still find their inner peace of mind through it all.

According to Nicole Preston, a psychological specialist with UCF Counseling Services, decreasing stress has much to do with everyday habits like eating and sleeping.

"Don't skip any meals and eat nutritious foods for the meals and snacks. Be mindful of how much caffeine is consumed. Try to avoid drinking caffeinated beverages after 5 p.m.," Preston said. "Don't skip sleep in order to study-- a solid six to eight hours of sleep will allow your brain to rest and retain more information. Try to study the same time of day as your exam."

Students like UCF sophomore Ashley Thayer see relaxation as being equally important in the realm of dealing with stress.

"You have to do stuff you enjoy. Personally, I like to play Wii. I'll force myself to do two hours of studying or whatever I have to do, and when I'm done I reward myself with an hour break and play Wii. But I always set a timer because if not then I'll play all night," she said.

According to UCF chemistry professor George Senkler, the solution to avoiding stress overload rests in the right amount of thinking ahead.

"Preparation is most often a long-term process, starting early in the semester and building to the final exam which is the opportunity to consolidate the learning that has occurred over the course of the semester. I see too many students rely on last-minute preparation in hopes of succeeding in the face of past experience that suggests that this is a failed strategy," Senkler said.

Aside from personal anti-stress techniques, students can also access events and tools offered by UCF to help in the process of preparing for finals week. UCF's very own Student Union turns into the Study Union, a 24-hour study space available for students to use during finals week, and what would make it a UCF event without the great perks?

"Basically, SGA helps hand out free food every night to students while the Student Union turns into the Study Union during finals week," said SGA's academic affairs coordinator Dominic Spence. "We'll also be hosting free SI sessions put on by SARC [Student Academic Resource Center] and the Student Union to help students prepare for exams."

Along with free snacks, the Study Union will be open until Friday at midnight, consisting of the second floor being dedicated to group study work, the third for quiet study, 24-hour access to the SGA computer lab, as well free tutoring sessions provided by SARC.

Subway and Joffrey's Coffee will be open to serve students until 3 a.m. as well. UCF students can also access SARC's free tutoring and final review sessions Monday through Friday, located in Howard Philips Hall, Room 113.

The UCF library will also be open to students until 3 a.m. every night until Thursday.

Many of UCF housing communities are also in on helping students deal with stress during finals week, including the The Academic Village Area Council, which will be handing out free midnight breakfast for Hercules and Nike residents on Monday.

It's obvious that stress is a reality but nevertheless, still something that can be subsided with some healthy habits, mindful organization, and the right amount of preparation. With that being said, take a deep breath and remember: it's just a test.