The Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD) has put students seeking therapy on the waiting list due to high demand. For students, the exam period is a demanding phase of the academic year both physically and mentally.
“We are fairly full once the academic year starts, but we normally have students on the waiting list towards the end of the academic term. When exams approach, students are more anxious about the impact of their emotional wellbeing on their academics,” said Dr Munita Dunn-Coetzee, Director of the CSCD.
Third year BSc Agricultural Economic Analysis student at Stellenbosch University (SU), Thandolwethu Phenyane (20), explained her exam-related anxiety.
“I suffer from anxiety so handling exam stress, for me, is not the easiest thing. I generally use the adrenaline from stress to keep me going. I have a lot of emotional breakdowns but I keep going.”
Students studying for the exams at the Stellenbosch University Library. PHOTO: Teboho Mokonyana.
Dunn-Coetzee echoed Phenyane’s words. She said that stress is inevitable and motivates people to get things done. She also added that it is important for one to understand what causes them stress and how they typically respond to it.
Raquel Alves (21), a fourth year BComm Management Sciences student at SU also explained her experiences with the exam period. “It really is a time of anxiety. As a student the burden to pass is heavy because it’s my final year and I can’t afford to fail anything because it will add an entire year to my degree and I can’t carry on to do my honours.”
Students resort to stimulants such as Concerta and Ritalin for immediate results in helping them concentrate and become more effective. Alves explained that she uses Concerta to cope with the demands of exams.
She said, “I used to take Ritalin in high school and it made me productive and I was able to focus for a few hours so it’s a nice feeling to be that dedicated to the work. I take it when I am really stressed.”
Dr Dunn-Coetzee said that Ritalin and Concerta are Schedule 6 drugs meaning that they are addictive and are prescribed after thorough assessment of an individual. She emphasised that they must strictly be used with proper consultation from a medical professional.
BA students make use of the Humarga Study Centre to prepare for the exams. PHOTO: Teboho Mokonyana.
Some students deal with negative thoughts and low self-esteem that can hinder their academic performance creating a downward spiral mentally. Phenyane explained that she feels the burden can be too heavy on students’ shoulders leading to them being unable to perform well in academics triggering self-doubt.
Dr Dunn-Coetzee also explained that a variety of factors can cause low self-esteem in students and that if this hinders academic performance it can lead to further loss of self-confidence among other things.
She added that any student in need of emotional support needs to approach the CSCD where their most pressing issues can be identified and handled appropriately.
VIDEO: Students explain the different ways they deal with stress during the exam season.