Picture by: Jackie Mah
University students get more stressed at the end of the semester, as fast approaching deadlines and exams get closer.
Most students will say the last weeks of the semester are always overwhelming, and some will say university is stressing in general.
The outcome of stress often affects student mental health, causing anxiety, which can interfere with sleep and create other health problems.
When students start to get anxious it’s usually because they start to think of worst-case scenarios where they aren’t able to successfully get things done.
RMIT Student Services Councillor Jenny English said students get overwhelmed for many reasons at the end of the semester, but time management is often the cause.
Ms English said there is a great deal of work expected at the end of semester and students do have a tendency to leave this work until the last minute.
She said students think they have plenty of time to do assignments or study for exams, when actually they don’t have that time.
“I think because they leave it a bit late, when they come to do the work they discover that maybe they haven’t understood it so well, or that they need to get more resources than they’ve got, so they’re sort of a bit behind,” says Ms English.
“There are a lot of student services at RMIT to help them including the Study and Learning Centre to support students with their assignments.
“There are also the Student Wellbeing Services where students can get advice, chaplaincy to provide religious and spiritual support, as well as counselling services providing one on one support.”
RMIT University have recently launched a new campaign, “Crew for Thought”, which is aimed at breaking down the stigma often associated with mental health issues. The campaign also aims to help ease end of semester stress.
Martin Janssen, the leader of the crew, was inspired to create the campaign through lived experience with mental health issues, and end of semester stress.
“I noticed mental health week landed in week 11 of the semester, and it didn’t seem like there was any particular event going on at RMIT related to mental health, or study stress and ‘bam’ I came up with it,” said Martin.
The campaign is mainly distributed through social media, but the crew are also targeting students in person by handing out freebies and information at selected campus sites.
Stress balls and pens were among freebies the crew gave out during mental health week to try and help give students a little lift.
“Being in a situation where you can’t find a pen, and you really need one can be really frustrating and interfere with your studies. It’s a simple and practical gift because a pen always comes in handy at the end of the semester,” says Martin.
“Stress balls are a great and a fun outlet in tense situations.
“You can put them in your bag, and take them out when ever you feel restless, or get fidgety with your hands, ideal for students who are starting to get anxious about exams and assignment deadlines.”
