Tara Schell, News Director

I am not writing this with a level head. My thoughts are clouded with anxiety, and have been so for roughly two weeks. Coincidentally, it was about two weeks ago that the unofficial start of the exam period began.

Over the next 5 days, I will write two exams, one paper, hand in a project, and prepare two portfolios. Over the past 5 days, I have handed in three essays, prepared a portfolio, and wrote three papers. When I first realized the amount of work I had ahead of me, I thought this was just a particularly unlucky run, and that I would simply get through it. However, after discussion with my peers, I’ve learned that this is not an uncommon amount of work at all.

Of course, there’s still the fact that I am a chronic procrastinator, and if I planned my time better, I would probably be far more equipped to handle the end of term rush. And yet, even those friends of mine who are incredibly organized, plan their time, and do work regularly are just as stressed as I am.
What then, does this suggest about university? Indeed, it seems that it has become taken for granted that students are sleep deprived, stressed, and loaded down with work, but is this really healthy?

In a recent Globe and Mail article, the following statistics were given on student
stress in university:

• 90% of students feel overwhelmed by all they have to do
• More than 50% of students say they feel hopeless
• 63% of students say they feel very lonely

But perhaps the most startling statistics were not about feeling stressed, but
what it can lead to. The article revealed that 9.5% of students had seriously considered
taking their own lives in the past year, while 1.3% had attempted suicide. Initially, 1.3%
seems like a small enough number (though of course, any number would be too high);
however, this was no small survey, and of the 30,00 students that were surveyed, 1.3%
is equivalent to 390. That means that at least 390 students attempted suicide in the past
year due to stress.

This is not only an incredibly heart wrenching statistic, it speaks to the need for
change in the university system. Getting an education should never be something so closely related to mental illness. And perhaps worst of all, this is an issue that is only really beginning to be taken seriously.

It is my hope that knowing what an impact stress can have, we as future teachers will be able to help our students work through anxiety in a healthy way, without simply looking at it as a “normal” part of school life. Of course, it is important to be concerned about your studies, but it should never reach a point where success in school is seen as equivalent to someone’s worth as a person.

With that being said, I’ve listed some suggestions on how to deal with all the stress and
anxiety we are all experiencing at this time of year. Please take the time to consider them, and best of luck at this hectic time of year!

• Practice some deep breathing
• Spend time outside
•  Exercise
• Watch a movie, or episode of TV show
• Talk to a friend or family member
• Cook or bake something
• Listen to music
• Read something you enjoy
• Stop, take a step back, and remember that you will get through this!