As the spring semester nears its end, many University of Memphisstudents complain their stress levels are hitting high marks on theRichter scale.
"It's something about spring fever and it feeling so niceoutside," said Maurice Douglas, U of M undecided major, aboutschool stressing him out. "You don't want to be cooped up in classwith your teachers."
The U of M is prepared to aid in alleviating stress duringApril, which is National Stress Awareness Month, with informationon de-stressing for faculty and students.
Kim Collins, U of M learning specialist, is offering a seminarfor students on de-stressing and dealing with stress, anxiety andfear on April 13, at 2 p.m., in Mitchell Hall, Room 403. There arethree sessions on managing stress for faculty and staff duringApril offered by Human Resources.
Students complain that school, in general, and teachers are theoriginator of their everyday stresses.
"School stresses me out the most, but I'm a worrier in general,"said Mary Katherine Johnson, sophomore.
Tim Ashbrand, freshman photography major, said one of hisprofessors generates a great deal of anxiety for him.
"Larry McPherson, my photography professor, makes us print outone picture over 100 times," Ashbrand said, adding that the classis his major source of stress, but campus parking comes in at aclose second.
Joana Sossaman, sophomore public relations, said money is at theroot of her stress problems with having to balance classes withwork.
"Trying to support myself and having to take time out of mystudies to be able to pay the bills creates the most anxiety,"Sossaman said.
Monica Whitsitt, senior journalism major, agreed that work andschool create apprehension in her life.
"I'm stressed because of trying to organize my time betweenschool, my daughter and work and having some kind of social life asa 27 year old," Whitsitt said.
There are simple ways to reduce stress in everyday activities,said Jacqueline DeFouw, U of M health educator.
"One of the best stress relievers is exercise," DeFouw said"Exercise gets the blood circulating, and you can think better,feel better, boost your immune system and relieve feelings ofstress."
Whitsitt said working out helps her relieve stress, but she alsodrinks a glass of good wine to wind down after a stressful day.
Singing, reading and praying are some other common methods ofstress relief, DeFouw said.
"I play guitar because it's something to take my mind offeverything stressful and concentrate on something new andrelaxing," Douglas said.
Johnson takes a yoga class that she said enables her to reduceher stress levels.
"Some people have very high levels of stress, but they cope withit well," DeFouw said. "Others seem unable to cope with minutestresses. Coping is the most important factor."
Students should be on the watch for self-destructive,stress-related behaviors like yelling, fighting, sleeping too much,eating, smoking and drinking, DeFouw said.
