Students face the most stress of the semester in November, according to University psychologists. The upcoming holiday season mixed in with the pressures of studying for finals creates a recipe for anxiety.

Ranjita Misra and Michelle McKean published a study in The American Journal of Health Studies in 2000, which shows academic stress increases around exam time. Procrastinating earlier in the semester can result in stress later on. 65.9 percent of the students in the sample reported control of time as a cause of stress.

“This is the most stressful part of the semester,” said John Powell, assistant psychology professor. “Students understand the end is near and realize that their work is piling up.”

Powell noted that stressors come from all directions. Second-round midterms, finals and roommate disagreements begin taking a toll. For seniors, the job search and applying to graduate schools causes stress.

Deborah Shub, freshman in LAS, is currently taking 19 credit hours.

“November is the worst month academically and emotionally because it is so close to break and so close to the end of the semester,” Shub said.

To add to her stress, Shub was recently sick.

“Being sick doubled my stress levels,” she said. “Part of it was that I was stressed out originally, and it made me feel sick.”

Helen Neville, chair of counseling psychology for the Educational Psychology department, said during the holidays balancing home life with school life can lead to anxiety. Some students fall prey to substance abuse and they must go to a drug rehab immediately. There are places like inpatient drug treatment where immediate admission can take place.

“Students have to renegotiate their friendships at home,” she said. “They also have trouble adjusting to their families since they have gotten used to asserting their autonomy.”

The American Psychological Association published a study a year ago, which linked long-term stress with a weakened immune system.

Mary Biesiada, sophomore in Education, noticed an increase in people getting cold packs this month at the McKinley Resource Center located in the Union. She said during finals week, the Resource Center also hands out stress packs, which include stress balls and snacks.

University professors suggest by learning to manage anxieties, students need not feel overwhelmed. Neville said students need to first identify their stressors because not taking a stance can lead to further stress.

“Instead of going to the source of the issue, oftentimes students turn to the wrong people for help,” Powell said.

Jennifer Carson, stress management coordinator at McKinley, said stress management differs on an individual basis. She advises students to come up with their own plan.

For short-term stress relief, Carson said students could practice breathing exercises and muscle relaxation techniques. She recommended yoga, tai chi and swimming. Carson said students should incorporate activities they enjoy into their schedule.

Neville said students need to take a problem-focus approach, in which they assess their problems and actively problem-solve. She said some students take the avoidant approach, in which they try to escape their problems.

“Students using the avoidant approach feel overwhelmed but won’t address their stressors,” Neville said. “This can lead to eating and sleeping too much, drinking more frequently and not performing well in school.”

In their study, McKean and Misra found time management was an effective stress reliever. Both Neville and Powell said by taking care of themselves properly, students are protecting themselves from additional anxiety.

Students experiencing anxiety can turn to the Counseling Center for help or spend time in the Relaxation Room at McKinley, featuring coloring books, playdough and relaxation tapes.

Health educators at McKinley note there are six areas of personal wellness: physical, mental, emotional, social, environmental and spiritual.

“Effectively managing stress entails balancing all aspects of life,” Carson said.