As we students prepare for final exams, the accompanying anxiety often becomes overwhelming. Do not fret, for you stand in good company. We all have assignments that pile up, and we each must face the stress of balancing that academic pressure with our well-being. Feelings of anxiety, confusion, and homesickness abound on campus, as they do every year. UB and your fellow students care for your well-being.
Whether it be academic help or something more personal, consider the following options offered by UB:
UB provides on-campus counseling centers to support student mental health on both North and South campuses. Students may speak with a licensed counselor to discuss their feelings in a confidential setting.
Tutoring and Academic Support (TASS)
UB provides students access to on-campus tutoring centers, including TASS, the Writing Center and the Math Place. These services aim to assist students learn difficult material and develop study strategies for final exams. Scheduling is done by online appointment and is limited only by availability.
Academic advisors direct students through the registration process, create a degree plan, refer students for additional support, and ensure students graduate on time.
Your Professors & TA’s
Each has office hours. Many hold study sessions right before exams. Less utilized than they should be, but are more valuable. Answer questions and help focus on the essential materials that will be covered on exams.
As for support outside of University services, consider engaging with a study group of your peers. Study after study has shown that teaching information to one another is one of the best ways to understand and retain the same material.
Self-care
Equally important to your mental health, and thus academic success, is practicing self-care. Find a balance between your academic responsibilities and your personal well-being. It may seem difficult, but every student should find time in their schedule to get sufficient sleep, exercise regularly — even as little as twenty minutes per day — and eat relaxed and healthy meals.
Other less obvious but valuable suggestions include: do not compare yourself to your peers by inquiring how they are holding or held up under the pressure of an assignment or exam; stay off of the internet, especially social media during the lead-up to exams; change your screen settings to grayscale on all mobile devices to significantly reduce their addictive qualities; and take time to engage in your interests and extracurricular activities.
In the end, everyone on and off this campus wants you to succeed. You are not alone on this academic journey. All you need to do is reach out.
The opinion desk can be reached at opinion@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Ryan Hagen | UB Athletics
