By Lauren Macovitz / Jambar Contributor
As finals week approaches at Youngstown State University, students are logging long study hours while campus departments are stepping in to ensure they carve out time to recharge.
Joy Polkabla Byers, interim vice president of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, said YSU offers several programs designed to help students manage stress and stay balanced as exams near.
“Specifically for finals week, we offer a variety of different programs that help bring together different departments on campus in ways to help students take breaks during exams,” Polkabla Byers said.
For instance, Campus Recreation will host its annual Relaxation Week this week, which includes free massages, a sip and yoga class, e-sports activities and opportunities for students to use recreational spaces during downtime.
Other campus groups are also contributing to a lighter atmosphere.
“Kilcawley Center and [the Office of] Student Activities will offer a midnight breakfast on Dec. 8 for students to take a break from studying,” Polkabla Byers said. “Student Counseling Services gave away survival kits on Dec. 2 and 3.”
The midnight breakfast will be held in Christman Dining Hall.
SCS also provides year-round support for students, including light therapy, nap pods, a salt cabin and a sensory room.
The push for stress relief aligns with national findings. According to the American Psychological Association’s Stress in America report, academic pressure remains one of the leading causes of stress among college students, and planned breaks, physical movement and structured time management significantly improve academic performance and emotional well-being.
Polkabla Byers said time management remains a core skill students should prioritize, as many feel overwhelmed with responsibilities piling up.
“They think they can cram an entire semester in a night,” Polkabla Byers said. “Time management is one of the biggest keys.”
The Resch Academic Success Center is preparing for elevated demand as students begin studying more heavily.
Kevin Hartenstein, associate director of the center, said tutoring and coaching services are already seeing an increase.
“Our tutoring services offer final exam review sessions the week before finals,” Hartenstein said. “For academic coaching, they will still be meeting with their students on a weekly basis … Anything like that to help them prepare for their finals.”
Students can sign up online through TutorTrac, call the center or walk into its location on the third floor of the William F. Maag, Jr. Library.
Hartenstein encourages students to plan ahead and break study material into smaller segments.
“We tell students to look at their calendars, use a planner and try to chunk it out into smaller pieces,” Hartenstein said. “Whenever you space it out and stick to that schedule, you’ll feel a little more relaxed.”
For some students, staying balanced means carving out time for themselves.
Morgan Rekstis, fitness and wellness graduate assistant, said physical activity helps her manage her own stress.
“When I know that finals are coming up, I usually like to get ahead of them,” Rekstis said. “If I realize that I’m getting really stressed, I’ll either go for a walk, or I’ll lift, or I’ll take one of our group fitness classes.”
Rekstis said she hopes students recognize Campus Rec as a welcoming, inclusive environment during stressful periods.
“I hope that students can realize that this is a place for everybody,” Rekstis said. “Stepping away, playing games and having fun is really important for your physical health, but also your mental health.”
Polkabla Byers said that students taking care of themselves is essential as they enter the final stretch of the semester.
“Make sure you’re taking breaks,” Polkabla said. “If your mental and physical health aren’t taken care of, you’re not going to be as successful as you can.”