Its finals season again, and for most college students, this is a stressful time of year. Academic burnout is at an all-time high, students who suffer from seasonal or general anxiety and depression may find it more difficult to cope, and expectations from oneself or their families can act as a huge weight upon students.
MCLA student, Emma Parente (27’), is one of many who is feeling the pressure of this week: “I feel a little stressed out and worried. I’m a Radiology major and I have about three formal final tests. In some classes, I’m feeling prepared, in others not so much.”
Parente offers others some insight regarding what sort of de-stressors work for her during this stressful time. She hopes others continue to stray away from unhealthy habits when trying to relax themselves, and instead focus on a set of habits that will overall benefit a student’s mental health in the long run.
She explains her personal set of healthy habits, “I try to pace myself by giving myself study breaks, I also might talk to friends and family to boost my mood, and also studying with others is also super helpful. Those are some things that work for me personally.”
When asked how well she thinks about MCLA choosing to support their students through finals week, Parente believes MCLA is working their hardest to offer students resources that will assist them both academically and mentally.
“I think MCLA has already been doing some good stuff to help students cope with the stress of finals”, says Parente, “For example, the “Donut Worry About Finals” event where Student Council Activities was giving out donuts to students. We’ve also gotten emails from the Disabilities Resources Office about testing accommodations and professors have been encouraging students to attend office hours. I think, in general, it’s hard for students not to be stressed about finals, but I think the school has been doing the best they can to help us cope.”
Parente believes the continued support from the school for its students is extremely important, as she also mentions students might be struggling with their own lives outside of school on top of finals this week. She includes examples such as family emergencies, loss, mental health, and social life is also something everyone deals with on a daily basis and that it has a potential impact on how well students perform in the classroom.
Shifting back to Parente’s personal goals and coping skills, she sees a light at the end of the tunnel and expressed her excitement for winter break: “I’m really just looking forward to having no homework, not having to think about getting up for class early, seeing friends and family over winter break which is also driving me to get through this final’s week. But I am also pretty excited for next semester and getting to explore new classes. I also want to mention that I hope students who struggle at home can find a safe and loving place to go to.”
Parente is determined to leave students and to remind herself of a few key highlights during this stressful season, holding on tight to the view that we will all make it through this week while remembering to take care of and prioritize ourselves.
She wants to offer everyone a few words of encouragement, hoping her words will motivate and offer comfort to some. Parente says, “It’s not about the destination, it’s about focusing on and enjoying the journey. Even though right now things can be tough and exhausting, just remember what you’re doing this for, and enjoy the experiences you gain in the process.”