Jack Bisson lives with his girlfriend Abi Davis. Davis, a senior in her last semester at UMPI, has been feeling the pressure of finals looming in the distance. “Abi’s stress shows,” he said. “It doesn’t seem like she’s stressed about the work as much as she is by graduation. She’s going to be moving onto something new and I think not knowing what exactly is stressing her out.”
Bisson said he thinks that Davis needs to take a step back and look at how far she has come. “As someone who has already finished school,” he said, “I tell her to try and recognize all the great things she has already done. When Abi’s stressed, I try to help by giving her space to get done what she needs to get done because I know that’s what is stressing her out.”
When people feel stressed out, it is important for them to access their feelings. This is an important component in identifying our needs. “The first thing you might try is to just notice your feelings as they happen,” Luce said. “When you do notice a feeling, say the name of the feeling to yourself.” When practicing this, it might be helpful to look up a list of feelings. “There are so many more than happy, sad, glad or mad,” she said. “Perhaps you’re feeling disappointed, relaxed, envious, discouraged, excited or nervous.”
Luce believes that no feelings are bad feelings. “Try not to judge any of your feelings,” she said. “Feelings just are. Feelings change—they come and go.” She challenges people to choose a feeling and track how often they feel it, encouraging people to write about that feeling to teach themselves something about themselves and their needs.
With finals in the near future, it is important to focus on one thing at a time. “It makes sense that a student would become overwhelmed thinking about EVERYTHING that is due!” Luce said. She recommends investing in a calendar or personal planner. More than anything, she recommends listening to your needs. “Do something you enjoy,” she said. “Try to get a good night’s sleep and enter the exam in a state of calm.”
If you or someone you know is in need of counseling or support, contact UMPI’s Student Support Services. Ralph McPherson, UMPI’s counselor, can be reached by phone at (207) 768-9671, or by email at ralph.mcpherson@maine.edu.
