Stress Less

As the end of the year approaches, many students are scrambling to find time to get their last assignments in, create portfolios and study for final exams. With so much to do, stress levels on campus are sky-high. Here CCNY students talk about how they're handling the pressure: Katia RomaMajor/Minor: N/AAge: 20Year: Junior"This semester I have four finals and a paper to prepare for. All I have to do is just tell myself, it will all be over soon, and then I'll be able to go out without worrying about school."Biggest regret: "One thing that I wish I never did was stay up late for no reason at all, when I knew I had to wake up early the next day. At the time I wasn't thinking about what I was doing, but in the morning I realized that I messed up because I was so tired!"Advice: "I would advise students next semester to be more organized and manage their time with upcoming deadlines so they don't end up over whelmed."  Gene MatosMajor/Minor: English Major (concentration in Creative Writing)Age: 20Year: Junior"I am not stressed at all. All I have are final papers and portfolios, so I don't have anything to study for. I am hanging out just as much as I usually do, if not more. That might be a bad thing, but since classes are over, I don't have to show up for finals week and I can concentrate on my work."Biggest regret: "Not spending enough time on assignments. The workload that I had this semester was too much for me to leave everything for the last minute--which I did anyway."Advice: "Time management is the key to success. You don't have to study for ten hours a day, but if you set a schedule, you won't fall behind."   Ana PenaMajor/Minor: PsychologyAge: 21Year: Senior"I believe finals week is one of the most stressful times of the school year. Students are expected to divide their time among studying, working, and being social. This semester I am taking five classes. Out of these four classes, I am expected to take four finals that are worth more than 40 percent of my grade. I am also working more than 20 hours a week while having responsibilities at home. Many times I find it difficult to find a balance between my academic, social, and professional life."Biggest regret: "This semester I worked too much and didn't have enough time to study and for myself. Any free time I had was dedicated to assignments for class or for work. Next semester I will try to work less hours and give myself more time to relax."Advice: "I would advise students to learn how to manage their time. Time management will save them a lot of stress." Anonymous Male CCNY StudentMajor/Minor: PR writing/English minorAge: 23Year: Lower Senior"It has been a bit overwhelming, but little by little I get the job done. Unfortunately, I have the 'senioritis,' which means that at this point I don't care as long as I pass. I have other things I need to focus on and getting through these last weeks is all that matters."Biggest regret: "As much as I love to get involved with events, I need to focus on my studies and not take on too many projects next semester."Advice: "Stay away from the NAC Rotunda!" Jairo MataMajor/Minor: MCA (Advertising & Public Relations)Age: 22Year: Upper Senior"Now that finals are approaching, I have to focus on the amount of work I need to do in order to pass. Since I'm about to graduate soon, my finals are more like final projects. It involves a lot of hands-on work. It's a little bit hard in the sense of managing your time. However, I'm more or less used to it now than when I entered in."Biggest regret: "There aren't any regrets this semester."Advice: "My one advice to those students for the Fall 2011 semester is to find new experiences and to challenge themselves more." Gabriela PeraltaMajor/minor: Advertising and Public RelationsAge: 21Year: Senior"As the school year comes to an end, the happiness is often blurred by deadlines of papers, finals, etc. As a CCNY student, full time worker and internship participant, the last two weeks of school are very stressful. All nighters have to be pulled off, and other sacrifices that come with the attempt of receiving an "A" have to be made."Biggest regret: "Missing more than three classes because it brought my grade down and most of the time I was lost when I came back."Advice: "Stay on top of your grades because that's what determines who you are."