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Tuesday. December 10.1974
University Daily Kansan
Curbs for finals stress suggested
By ANITA SOLTER Health Reporter
The best ways to cope with the stress of finals are to maintain normal eating and sleeping habits, study far enough in order to master the skills before an exam and be wary of excapism. This is the prescription that B. Kent Houston, associate professor of psychology and director of the Psychological Clinic recommended for a successful finals period.
"Whether you usually eat two or three meals or sleep six or eight hours a day, it is important that you maintain your normal habits." Houston said recently.
Food will serve both nutritional and psychological needs during finals, he said. Under stress, some people will snack even when well fed.
HOUSTON SAID STUDENTS might be cut to back two or three hours of sleep because they don't get over several days, less than a normal amount of sleep would have adverse effects.
It is nonconventional that nonprescription drugs—alcohol, barbiturates, tranquilizers or "stay-awake" pills—be avoided during finals.
"It it n't wise to use more coffee or cigarettes than normal. Both caffeine and nicotine make you more jittery, and the nicotine worse," he said. "It is a wild cycle."
HOUSTON SAID 24 to 48 hours before an exam was the optimum time for review. If a student isn't up to date on reading skills, they won't be late to effectively catch up, he said.
"Escape—leaving the situation either physically or psychologically—is a bad way of handling anxiety because it provides temporary relief only," he said. "Many people get involved in escapism without realizing what they are doing."
He said attending movies, shooting pool,
engaging in long conversations or watching
sports.
Drinking, another form of escapism, is more complex, he said. The alcohol itself has a tranquilizing effect that reduces anxiety, and the drinking situation usually involves conversations, which are also a form of escape.
HOUSTON SAID SOMEONE who drank much alcohol would feel tired the next day because alcohol interfered with deep sleep. The person might have the added problem
"The amount of alcohol required to interfere with sleep varies according to each person's body weight and sedation threshold," he said.
of a hangover, which could bring headache,
nausea, vertigo and a tired feeling.
At the college student's age, it takes at least an hour to metabolize each drink, he said. Therefore, sleep will be disturbed if a carolum was not metabolized before bedtime.
Houston said that even following these guidelines, a student might experience psychological or physiological stress about examinations.
PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS INCLUDES sweating, "cold feet," increased heart rate and a feeling of "butterflies in the stomach." he said.
"Some people have very dramatic stress responses, like vomiting. Perhaps one student in a class of 100 would have to leave the room during an examination," he said.
Houston said psychological stress was fairly widespread and included anxiety, apprehension, worry, insomnia, tension, the litters or even panic.
Many students worry about the consequences of poor exam performance, such
as flanking out, dispointing parents or not attaining career or post-graduate study
**WORRYING IS A bad habit.** It is one of the causes of insomnia and interferes with performance on the exam. Like any other habit, one can learn to quit worrying," he said. "But that is often easier said than done."
He said the stress of finals might affect other areas of a student's life. Marital, sexual or parental problems might develop during finals week.
An objective person should be sought to help with problems, Houston said. He suggested talking with a dormitory counselor, resident assistant, minister, the student health service, University Counseling Center or Psychological Clinic.
"About 10 percent of college students are test-anxious and suffer more than others during finals. They recurringly have problems with nausea, vomiting and mind blanks, and don't perform at the level of their ability or preparation," he said.
Rather than drop out of school, Houston said, such students should seek professional help as soon as possible to determine the cause of their test-anxiousness.
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Tree buyers ignore price
Despite the crunch of an inflated
company tree, the tree sales are going
with this holiday season.
That's the word from area dealers, who say that they offer higher prices, customers who buy directly from dealers.
"People are really willing to buy trees," David Cook of Fallery's on 25th and Iowa said. "They are selling really well. Nearly 150 trees were sold in one week with the most popular tree in the seven dollar range." Cook said.
"The trees are a much better grade this year," Bed Hoody of Kroger's, 23rd and Naismith, said. "They (customers) comment on price but they're still buying
Scotch pines between six and seven feet are the most popular tree, Heywood said. Prices range between nine and thirteen dollars, he said.
"People are going down a grade," Jim Goodlett of Gardenland said. "They can't see nine dollars for a tree to throw away. They're going down a grade. They can't afford it."
Gardenland has sold about 200 trees,
Goodlett said. Scotch pines in the seven to nine dollar range have been selling well, he said.
Tree sales have been good, Kay Lebert, of the Noon Optimist Club. said. The trees, sold at the Rusty's 9th and Iowa location, have been selling well since last weekend, she said. Scotch pines in the nine dollar category are most popular, she said.
Convenience stores haven't been selling many trees. however.
"We've told not a one," Bob Hoffman, manager of the七11 Store at 3025 W. 30th St. "It's still too early. The way it looks, I don't think we will sell all we have." he said.
PRIMARILY LEATHER
Prices at his store are higher because of the convenience involved, Hoffman said. People can leave their car running while they jump in for a quick item, be said.
craftmen of fine leather good
Prices range between $7.50 to $10.50, he said.
Nomination delayed for recreation post
812 Massachusetts
A person to fill the position of recreation coordinator was recommended yesterday by Wayne Osness, chairman of the recreation board, and recreation. Osness declined to name the candidate. He said the name would be announced after checks were made by the University administration to make sure Action guidelines had been followed.
Osness said the recommendation had been delayed because a minority candidate had applied at the last minute. The conference was scheduled at that time to assure fairness, he said.
Someone has been approached for the job,
Oussess said, and that person indicates he
would be willing to work for him.
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"I don't anticipate selling any of them," Dave Cohen, manager of the 7-11 at 1009 W. 29th St. said, "We're way too high for them and we had no sold trees but was missing three."
People evidently like Christmas trees;
"the just don't want to buy them," Cohen
said.
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