Midterm stress takes its toll

By Alexandra Riley-Sorem

For most Santa Clara students the weeks of midterms are almost over. The midterm process is characterized by individual studying styles; some illicit good results, some don't. The freshmen got their first taste of having to cram a large amount of material in such a short time. However, whether a student is a freshman or an upperclassman, the weeks of midterms are generally accompanied by emotions of worry, anxiety and stress.

Stress is generally a negative emotion, but it has some positive effects. It can encourage creativity, curb procrastination and sometimes produce a better and more timely product than what would be created under more relaxed circumstances.

However, the average student does not experience or recognize these benefits of stress. Instead, during the course of their educational careers, students will experience mainly the negative, and sometimes dangerous, aspects of stress.

The negative aspects of stress Ñ pressure, tension, worry, anxiety and strain Ñ are familiar to almost everyone.

This perception does not apply, however, to students who experience very threatening affects due to stress. Stress, in its most dangerous form, can cause sleep deprivation, nervous breakdowns and illness. In the Santa Clara community, these more serious aspects of stress are more commonly experienced than most would think.

Celeste Bronzini, a freshman, said sleep deprivation and nerves effected her health during midterms.

"I had to go study for a midterm in the library for about six hours," Bronzini said. "By the end of the fifth hour I was so drained that I had a shaky feeling and felt pretty sure that my head was about to explode. I also didn't sleep a lot and it made it harder to concentrate during class."Students respond to stress on a much more serious scale. Some students experience panic attacks during midterms that are characterized by asthma attacks and laryngitis. Others experience complete breakdowns.

To avoid such an outcome, taking a step back to look at the whole picture and put the problem in perspective really cuts down on stress.

Forming study groups, managing time wisely, developing study habits and asking for help are sure-fire ways to keep from losing your mind over midterms. In addition to a study group to help with school problems, realize that there are also people around whose sole purpose is to help students when they need someone to talk to.

Larry Wolfe, Director of Health and Counseling Services, helps students to focus on the problem of stress and what causes it, so that it can be easily remedied.

"I help the student figure out whether they are taking on too much or whether they need better study habits to cope with midterm stress," Wolfe said.

By studying in context with other commitments and responsibilities and maintaining good health, stress becomes a more manageable factor of college life.