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Active Minds Speaks to Exam-Stressed Students
by Briteny Dies
Active Minds at Mars Hill
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The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 22.1% of Americans 18 and older suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in any given year.
As exam time approaches, students are feeling more stressed than "normal." Almost everyone has felt unprepared for something after hours of planning, or has experienced that nervous feeling while taking a test, but stress and anxiety can be so much more.
The Mars Hill chapter of Active Minds on Campus has pulled together information to help identify stress-causers and stress-relievers that the group wants everyone to know about.
Active Minds is a national organization that was founded in 2001 by Alison Malmon, following the suicide of her older brother. A chapter opened at Mars Hill College during the fall of 2004 and was officially recognized by the Student Government Association during the spring of 2005.
"The stress that students feel during the end of a semester is completely normal. However, if one wants to succeed, it is necessary to address the stress in some way. Everyone needs some kind of outlet," said Laura LaFrancis, upcoming chapter president.
Active Minds members want students to be aware and knowledgeable about things that you can do about stress to keep control. They want students to know that this is not an unusual feeling, and speaking with someone about it is not unusual either.
Many people think that they will not and cannot become stressed out or experience anxiety, but an enormous number of people are in fact affected. Without stress life might be dull and boring. However, too much stress can leave a negative impact on the physical and mental being of a person.
Too much stress can destroy self-esteem, minimize social and academic effectiveness and create self-doubt. What stresses one person may not have the same effect on another.
"I actually work better under pressure," says Senior Jennie Jones. "However, I also remember a time when I didn't. My freshman year, the idea of just giving up at the end of the semester and relying on doing well earlier on didn't seem like such a bad idea."
Some stress causers include: breakup of a relationship; failing a course or semester; first experience in college; financial problems; and various other changes in daily activity. To see a Student Stress Checklist, visit www.utexas.edu/student/cmhc/booklets/stress/stress.html.
Although stress is to be expected closer to exam time, some common signs indicating that you may need to slow down or speak to someone would be irritability, tightened muscles that could lead to head/back aches or neck problems, sleep deprivation, fatigue, and rapid breathing.
Some stress relieving activities would include:
-Taking a moment for yourself.
-Doing something physical like exercising or something fun.
-LAUGHING/CRYING
- Knowing when you have too much and being willing to ask for help (it's ok to ask for extra time)
-Avoiding self-medication (alcohol and drugs often cause more stress later)
If you are interested in learning more about mental health issues or Active Minds, the group has meetings open to anyone on Wednesday nights at 9:00 p.m. in the Blue Lounge.
Laura LaFrancis reminds students that Active Minds on Campus is not a support group. "We are dedicated to fighting the stigmas associated with mental health issues."
For more information go to www.activemindsoncampus.org or contact the counseling center at 689-1196 and ask for Bill Dycus.
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