North Texas Daily

Emily Bentley / Staff Writer

Finals week can be a stressful time as students struggle to cram last-minute information, collect missing notes and petition heaven and hell for extra credit on tests that can make or break a GPA.

Employees at UNT’s Counseling and Testing Services are all too familiar with the anxieties brought on by the end of the semester, and are offering special services for finals week.

The center is operating the “Eagles Refuge” in the One O’Clock Lounge in the Union, allowing students to take a break from their studies and relax with coloring books, snacks and board games, said Dylan Matsumori, outreach coordinator and staff psychologist at the center.

“We also have two masseuses there, which tends to be pretty popular with the students,” he said.

Overwhelmed students should also keep in mind that their student fees cover eight free counseling sessions.

“I think a majority of students, regardless of if they live on campus or off, are mostly unaware of any resources offered besides what Willis Library advertises,” psychology junior Kamudi Maniedeo said. “Once I had a mild anxiety attack that that lasted during finals. I wish I would have known about things like this.”

Other students had methods of coping with the stress.

“I think oftentimes students cause their own stress by procrastinating on studying,” business sophomore Lynn Hua said. “Since I tend to have anxiety, I plan on studying my materials thoroughly so I won’t have to stress about what is on the exam.”

Hua said she would sneak in naps whenever possible to make up for lost sleep during finals week.

Matsumori also encouraged students to take advantage of free mindfulness meditation groups that focus on how to dispel anxiety through mindful breathing, deep muscle breathing and traditional therapy.

“Ultimately, the advice I would give students is stop freaking out over B’s and C’s. Think about this in term of your long-term goals,” Matsumori said.

He advised students to avoid sweating the small stuff and to put things in perspective.

“Secondly, I would advise students to just breathe,” he said.

The Counseling and Testing Service’s doors in Chestnut Hall room 311 are open five days a week, but Matsumori said students should make an appointment because the office is so busy this time of year.

For more information, go to counselingandtesting.unt.edu.