Student Stress During the end of the Semester

The end of the 2022-23 academic school year coming to a close, and students begin to enter into the pre-examination period. Professors will be doubling down on their workload and handing out final dates for projects and examinations.

With the increased amount of time spent on school during this time, students’ stress levels are at an all-time high. 

This time of year for many students the pressure is at a high as well. Parental expectations of maintaining an adequate GPA for scholarships or other relations add an extra burden onto the student.

Saron Tefera, a third-year Kinesiology student, spends a lot of her time on campus. She, like the rest of her colleagues, spends a lot of their time in the Harriet Irving Library. 

Saron Studying at Harriet Irving Library. Photo: Jake Wightman, Saint Thomas Journalism

 

“Oh, yes,” said Tefera. “We’re transitioning into that exam period phase so it is getting stressful. Some of my exams are cumulative. So it’s been we’re gonna be questioned on stuff from January. And I do have like six exams so it is a lot of stress.” 

Tefera forces herself to stay on campus till the late evening hours to ensure that she has productive days. If she were to return home, she would fall into procrastinative habits. This to her, is one of the many stressors added on during the end of the semester.

For many students, the end-of-the-semester production levels are at high risk. Due to their stress levels being out of control, it becomes difficult for them to stay on top of things. 

Students need to keep in mind the importance of their mental and physical health, especially during this time of year. Stress is a direct cause of young adult mental health issues and is often neglected.

First-year students studying in the seminar room. Photo by Jake Wightman of Saint Thomas Journalism

 

For those who are unable to handle their stress during examination season, Tefera advises those to step back, take a break, and divvy up the workload. Overwhelming yourself is never an efficient way of keeping up with the workload.

“I think that it might not work for everybody but I feel like that’s really important because like you need to give your brain a rest a break,” said Tefera. “I also do intramural sports. So that helps a lot. That’s once a week. So at least once a week I get a break from schoolwork.”

Both Saint Thomas University and the University of New Brunswick during exam season offer a number of mental health-uplifting clinics. Saint Thomas holds a night against procrastination while UNB brings in therapy dogs on several occasions in the Student Union Building. 

Students can soon look forward to five months of relaxation and leisure as their long school year comes to an end.