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Finals a test of mind, body:
Study finds students' health takes a back seat during winter exams

by Yasmin Assemi
Record Staff Writer
Published Monday, Dec 12, 2005

STOCKTON -- Students nationwide tend to neglect their health while preparing for exams before the holidays, according to a recent survey by The Princeton Review and Wrigley.

"I just live in the library," said University of the Pacific student Loan Pham, while studying for a final exam and six essays Thursday. "It's just so intense."

Students at San Joaquin Delta College and Pacific, as well as those at Lincoln, Tracy, Manteca and Lodi unified school district high schools, will take semester or final exams between now and Christmas. Stockton Unified School District high school students will take exams in mid-January.

Pham, 21, said she tends to eat more instant noodles and drink more coffee during this time, and Tim Lim, a pre-pharmacy student at Pacific, said his diet consists of double cheeseburgers.

More than 85 percent of American and Canadian students stress out during exam time, the study said. But it said they combat stress with the wrong tools: eating junk food, consuming lots of caffeine, skipping exercise and sleeping less.

"How students manage exam-time stress can have a huge impact on their ability to perform under pressure," Robin Raskin, director of communications for The Princeton Review, said in a statement.

"Today's students feel an intense pressure to achieve good grades. Choosing poor stress-management techniques can work against their scholastic goals."

More students also visit the health center during exam times with ailments ranging from viruses to anxiety and depression, said Karen Peterson, director of health services at Pacific's Cowell Wellness Center. "They are so strapped with their time management with studying, classes, deadlines that the idea of having to take time out for oneself is not high on their list of to-do things," Peterson said. "Their health agenda is kind of low at this time."

The study recommends regular exercise and study breaks to keep students healthy throughout finals week. Students can also chew gum to avoid unnecessary snacking, according to the study.

But not all students freak out over tests.

"I just go over my notes," said Michelle Pacheco, an 18-year-old student at Delta College who has three tests coming up.

"You've just got to manage your time wisely," said Pacific student Fabiola Gonzalez. "If you work in partners, that works out better than studying by yourself." She admitted she averages only about five to six hours of sleep per night during exam time.

"They've got to rest," Peterson said. "They've got to eat balanced meals. It's general forms of everything we have to do to stay healthy, whether we're a college student or not."

The survey was conducted from Sept. 9 to Oct. 21 among nearly 9,000 students at American and Canadian colleges and universities.