Combating Stress During Finals Week

Students studying Wednesday during finals week in Perkins Library. Photo by Julie Schoonmaker

At final exams time, it’s not uncommon to find Duke students guzzling cups of coffee when cramming for tests or perfecting a paper. It’s all part of the final push before winter break.

“They’re typically having a lot of exams and they happen in a brief period of time. And there’s a lot on the line. And so they’re stressed out, they’re studying,” said Wanda Collins, a licensed psychologist and director of the university’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). “Many of them have good study habits and manage their stress well, but not all of them.”

Stress is something most Duke students are used to dealing with considering they had to endure a lot of high-pressure situations to get into the university, explained Collins. However, psychologists with CAPS urge students to be mindful about the way they handle their stress.

“There is something about the Duke culture, suddenly being around such high-achieving students, there’s a certain intensity here that certainly adds to the stress. Because students contain their stress so well, students can tend to feel pretty alone in their stress because other people’s stress is not so obvious,” said Collins.

While a large latte may temporarily boost a student’s energy level, psychologists caution to keep it in moderation. Collins said drinking excessive caffeine and not getting enough sleep may only add to students’ stress levels.

Collins recommends a healthier approach, including getting enough sleep, maintaining a balanced diet and taking study breaks to do things like exercise.

“I think taking breaks is really important because it is easy to get engulfed and myopic in your vision and thinking about what’s important.”

Collins said it’s also crucial to keep the importance of finals in perspective.

“Sometimes doing well in a class is good enough.”

Anyone who needs support managing stress can contact CAPS at (919) 660-1000. In addition to psychological services, CAPS offers an array of classes to help students manage their stress, including yoga and meditation.