With finals week approaching, De Anza College students are only concerned with two things: Study skills and stress management.

Study Skills

Developing good study skills can help students conquer finals season more effectively.

De Anza’s Library and Student Success Center provides resources to help students study for their finals and develope study techniques.

Co-director of the Student Success Center Diana Alves de Lima said the Math, Science, and Technology Resource Center will be open during finals week, with study tables and drop-in tutoring available to students.

She said the Student Success Center would also hold skills workshops to prepare for tests, learn study tips, and beat procrastination.

“Attend as many Skills workshops as you can,” she said, “Many instructors offer extra credit.”

Alves de Lima also offered her own study tips for students to succeed during finals week.

“Make detailed to do lists for each exam. Plan the best time and place to study…break study sessions into smaller sessions and reward yourself,” she said.

“Condense large amounts of information into more concise formats. Use multi-sensory approaches…using color and graphics, flashcards, rhymes or acronyms to help you remember.”

Students having a place to study without any distractions can help with retention. Studying in smaller sessions also helps students from getting tired during study sessions.

“When I have to memorize large chunks of material I like to group them into flashcards so I can study them whenever,” Hira Li, 19, history major said.

Stress Management

Stress during finals week is usually a product of too much to do in too little time, but can also be a problem for students who diligently follow the Study Skills guildlines above.

Student Health Services, located in the bottom floor of the Hinson Campus Center, helps provide students with multiple resources to help with coping with stress, overall health, and staying fit during finals week.

“Without health, you cannot learn,” said Mary Sullivan, Coordinator of Students Health Services, “Stress can interfere with memory which is part of learning. Overall wellness is important.”

Student Health Services also has a website that provides information on stress management and wellness during finals week.

“The online journal will talk about finals…and anxiety, and study methods that work,” said Sullivan, “It also has stuff about emotional health and effective study methods.”

One branch of Student Health Services is Psychological Services, which provides students with confidential sessions in which they can talk out their problems regarding stress or other issues.

“When I get stressed I like to run,” said Sara Maladi, 20, business major. “It makes me feel refreshed again and I can study.”

Overall, a healthy amount of stress is needed to succeed but too much can lead to a low immune system and deter a student from focusing on studying.