Wellness Center cautions students to balance studying, sleep
Study break to be held Tuesday, December 13
As reading period begins, the staff at the Center for Wellness and Residential Education wants students to remember that when it comes to studying, more is not always better.
“I think students are really afraid to take a break,” says Beth Grampetro, the health and wellness educator in the Office of Residence Life. “They hear their peers saying, ‘I was up ’til 4 a.m. doing that paper,’ and instead of thinking, ‘I don’t have to stay up until 4 in the morning,’ they think they have to compete.”
To help students relax and rejuvenate while they prepare for finals, the center is hosting WellBreak, an afternoon study break, on Tuesday, December 13, from noon to 2 p.m. Students can come by at any time to enjoy hot chocolate and healthy snacks, play board games, or make their own stress-relief toys. In addition, handouts with stress-management tips will be available for students to take away with them.
“It’s really very informal,” Grampetro says. “We don’t want anyone to feel that they have to be here at a certain time or stay for a presentation.”
Another resource for students is Coffee At Finals, a study-aid event hosted by the Educational Resource Center, the Young Alumni Council, and the College of Arts and Sciences Forum. From December 14 through 16, students can drop in to CAS 310 for tutoring in chemistry, computer science, calculus, economics, statistics, physics, and philosophy. Coffee, tea, energy drinks, and snacks will be available as well. Tutoring will take place from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., and the room will be open from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Maxine Milstein, director of the Educational Resource Center, says that although Coffee At Finals will be open late, students should be sure they get enough sleep before exams. Grampetro adds that eating regular meals is important as well.
“They should just make sure they do what works for them and that they schedule in time to sleep, to eat, and to relax,” she advises. “Those things fall by the wayside this time of year, and people end up getting sick.”