Midterm exams are approaching and adding to the usual stress of college life.
Is this stress temporary, or is it something more serious that requires students to obtain accommodation? Read on to learn the differences and where to get help.
How can you tell the difference between short-term stress and long-term anxiety? According to an article by the American Psychological Association, “There’s a fine line between stress and anxiety. Both are emotional responses, but stress is typically caused by an external trigger…Anxiety, on the other hand, is defined by persistent, excessive worries that don’t go away even in the absence of a stressor.”
According to an article published in the journal, Frontal Neuroendocrinol, short-term stress is fleeting, can be from minutes to hours, and can come from any event. An example of this is what you feel leading up to a deadline for a term paper. Long-term anxiety, however, is felt for extended amounts of time, from weeks to even months. An example of this would be when a person has trouble functioning in daily activities due to constant worry.
PennWest offers various resources on campus to assist depending on the student’s needs, ranging from tutoring in specific classes, organizational skills management, writing assignments, and even counseling and accommodations.
What you can do for Short-Term Stress?
Students can get help on academic work and mental health support. Carrie Pavtis, clerical assistant from the Student Success Center stated, “We see more students coming in during midterms to get supplemental instruction.”
Here are where those resources are available on campus:
The Student Success Center: Located in Noss Hall, this center offers tutoring, supplemental instruction, and academic coaching that provides personalized assistance in areas that may be causing you stress.
The Writing Center: Also located in Noss Hall, the Writing Center provides services ranging from brainstorming to proofreading. You can book appointments through Starfish on the Penn West portal.
The Counseling Center: Located on the ground floor of Carter Hall, it offers a relaxation room and counseling services to help you cope with stress and anxiety. They can also provide referrals for additional outside support if needed.
Help is available if you have long-term anxiety.
For more serious, long-term anxiety, you may qualify for academic accommodation through the Office of Students with Disabilities (OSD). Heidi Opel-Dolobach, management technician, from the OSD office, says, “Students can apply anytime during the semester.”
To apply, students must fill out the “Self-Disclosure and Request for Accommodations Form,” found on the OSD website, and submit documentation of their diagnosis from a medical provider. Currently, you can send the documentation via email, fax, or hand-carry to the OSD office. However, Opel-Dolobach noted, “Soon, students will be required to upload this documentation through the Penn West portal.”
October is a stressful time for college students. Recognizing your stress level is key to getting help managing the stress. These resources are in place for any student to support them in achieving their academic success.
Callie Rose is a sophomore Communications major at PennWest California.
