Office of Student Life

Your Student Life: End of the Year Stress and Anxiety

April 15, 2025

It’s human to experience anxiety as a response to stressors, and sometimes it can even be adaptive—like when we remember to bring our umbrella to prep for a thunderstorm or start studying early for a notoriously tough exam—but many people experience a level of anxiety that becomes distressing and distracting. That’s where coping skills come in, and in this episode of our podcast PsychBytes with CCS, Mary Decenzo, LISW-S, ACTRP-C, shares her expertise with skills that fall under the umbrella of “sensory mindfulness”—using our five senses to calm our physiological responses to stress. Throughout the episode, she shares background on why it works, a few examples of sensory mindfulness exercises and where to find more.  

If exams and final projects are giving you anxiety and stressing you out, here are a few tips. Of course, there is no “one-size-fits-all” way to study, so do whatever is best for you!

  • Remember to take frequent breaks, and not just as a reward at the end. Many people like the Pomodoro Technique.
  • If you’re making a to-do list or tracking your goals, break them down into smaller chunks you can “check off” to keep yourself motivated.
  • Consider joining or forming a study group. This could be with classmates or with friends who are working on their own projects (keep each other company!)
  • Explore different environments to work in—maybe a library reading room, a coffee shop, by a favorite tree on the oval, or a study room.
  • Always prioritize sleep and nutrition so your brain can continue to function at its full capacity and retain what you’ve learned.
  • If you get test anxiety, plan to relax before your exam. Even if it’s on the walk to campus or when you sit down in the classroom. A few quick ideas are a walk, listening to your favorite music, doing a few minutes of intentional breathing, or the 5-4-3-2-1 exercise.

Unexpected stressors can come up at any time of year, whether it’s finals looming, an argument with your family or roommate or the doomscroll just feels too real, Counseling and Consultation Service (CCS) is here for you. Whether you have an urgent concern, are looking for therapy, or just want to chat, there is someone available 24/7. Need help? Talk to a Counselor.  

 

Counseling and Consultation Service
Office of Student Life