Spring Break
Study hard, take care of yourself
Emily Abbate
Issue date: 9/26/08 Section: Focus
Every week from now until Thanksgiving break, there will be hundreds of students running around stressed because of exams. As more and more students flock through the turnstiles into the library, campus is feeling busier and more fast-paced. Within the chaos of exams, many students feel like studying is all they know. So how do students deal with that feeling? For many, food and unhealthy habits is the key to getting through a stressful week.
"I eat to stay awake sometimes while I'm studying and to keep me focused," said Lauren Casasanta, a 5th-semester biological sciences major. "I don't really get to work out. While I'm at the gym, all I think about is how much I should be studying instead."
John Harry, a 5th-semester political science major, has only one vice when stress strikes. "For the most part my health habits don't change when I have exams," said Harry. "I am one of the kids that can't function without sleep so I try to budget my time but that doesn't always work out. That's when I turn to energy drinks."
There is some explanation behind the increased desire for some nutritional junk food during a stress-filled schedule. The culprit, according to about.com, is increased levels of cortisol, a
"Cortisol has a beneficial function in the body, but excessive levels of cortisol brought on by chronic stress can cause a slew of problems in the body," according to the Web site. "Among other things, high levels of cortisol can create cravings for salty and sweet foods."
"I feel like there aren't a lot of healthy options of things I can grab [and bring into the library] when I'm in a rush," said Katie Cunningham, a 5th-semester political science major. "I usually just grab a bagel or a bag of chips or something just to keep me going."
Actually, there are some healthy food options that students can bring into the library, or even grab at Bookworms. If you are just looking for something small and simple, try grabbing an apple or a "100-Calorie Pack". Try bringing a resealable bag of your own popcorn, but stay way from the movie-theater butter style. If a bigger meal is what you are looking for, try a ham sandwich or quick salad, but choose your dressings wisely - they can add tons of fat and sodium.
The healthiest thing students can do before an exam is take time to chill out, relax and attempt to get your mind off of the subject matter, even if it is only for an hour after an all-nighter.
"I like to turn up my music really loud and jump into the shower when I'm stressed out," said Tommy Talty, 5th-semester economics major. "It really relaxes me."
"I eat to stay awake sometimes while I'm studying and to keep me focused," said Lauren Casasanta, a 5th-semester biological sciences major. "I don't really get to work out. While I'm at the gym, all I think about is how much I should be studying instead."
John Harry, a 5th-semester political science major, has only one vice when stress strikes. "For the most part my health habits don't change when I have exams," said Harry. "I am one of the kids that can't function without sleep so I try to budget my time but that doesn't always work out. That's when I turn to energy drinks."
There is some explanation behind the increased desire for some nutritional junk food during a stress-filled schedule. The culprit, according to about.com, is increased levels of cortisol, a
"Cortisol has a beneficial function in the body, but excessive levels of cortisol brought on by chronic stress can cause a slew of problems in the body," according to the Web site. "Among other things, high levels of cortisol can create cravings for salty and sweet foods."
"I feel like there aren't a lot of healthy options of things I can grab [and bring into the library] when I'm in a rush," said Katie Cunningham, a 5th-semester political science major. "I usually just grab a bagel or a bag of chips or something just to keep me going."
Actually, there are some healthy food options that students can bring into the library, or even grab at Bookworms. If you are just looking for something small and simple, try grabbing an apple or a "100-Calorie Pack". Try bringing a resealable bag of your own popcorn, but stay way from the movie-theater butter style. If a bigger meal is what you are looking for, try a ham sandwich or quick salad, but choose your dressings wisely - they can add tons of fat and sodium.
The healthiest thing students can do before an exam is take time to chill out, relax and attempt to get your mind off of the subject matter, even if it is only for an hour after an all-nighter.
"I like to turn up my music really loud and jump into the shower when I'm stressed out," said Tommy Talty, 5th-semester economics major. "It really relaxes me."
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