By Tom Landry (Staff Writer)

Being a college student entails a lot of work.

Between school, social and academic activities, and peer problems students may develop high levels of stress.

“Certain points in the semester when more school work is due, confrontations with roommates, and other conflicts that are going on will increase stress levels,” said Anne Rogge, director of counseling services. “There is also the pressure of trying to do good or too much.”

Crytstalia Hampton, a sophomore, says that there is too much work with classes and extracurricular activities, and that you’re stressed with what you want to do when you get out of college.

“It’s a whole bunch of things to take on at once,” Hampton said.

Students prepare for tests in different ways. Sometimes they stay up too late or overwork themselves, which may cause them to feel stressed.

“I usually find myself studying for a test by reviewing notes and making flash cards,” said Jon Hall, a freshman. “I end up staying up all night [though] which affects my sleeping patterns and that makes me moody sometimes.”

It’s a vicious cycle, he said.

Playing on a sports team may also take up additional time from a student’s schedule. Sometimes, students use sports as a way to relieve stress.

“I play for the soccer team so I’m usually pretty busy,” sophomore Sean Nugent said. “I also play intramural sports for the Purple Urples.

Music and campus events are some other ways that students handle the stress in their day to day lives.

“Listening to music chills me out,” Hampton said.

Senior Luke Pierson says that comedy events give him a chance to get away from school work.

“Having fun is a good way for me to relieve stress,” he said.

Nugent and Pierson also relieve stress by playing video games.

“They take my mind off of all the school work and give me a break from the projects I have to do,” Nugent said.

Students can reduce stress by getting enough rest, Rogge said. Exercising, deep breathing exercises and meditation can help too.

“Breaking down workloads in manageable chunks can help students feel less stressed,” she said.