During this difficult period, many students experience severe stress.

Now in many universities and colleges the winter session is in full swing. As a rule, a session is always accompanied by stress and anxiety, and students lack confidence in their abilities. Natalya Kovalenko , a specialist at the Psychological Service of the Academy of Psychology and Pedagogy of the Southern Federal University, explained why this happens and how to cope with it, what can and cannot be done to make the brain work better during this period.

“The winter session is more difficult than the summer one: less sun, worse weather, longer nights. For many people, this lifestyle reduces their mood. First-year students who are taking university exams for the first time are especially worried. The unknown increases the level of anxiety,” says the expert.

The psychological service of the SFedU AP&P is always ready to provide support to students and staff who apply. But during the sessions, according to the expert, students turn to psychologists extremely rarely.

“This suggests that young people believe they are able to manage their own stress. And this is good – confidence will only help in such a difficult period,” said Natalya Kovalenko .

However, there are students who experience such intense fear when preparing for exams that they lose the ability to retain even the most basic information in memory. It is precisely these students who need the help of a psychologist.

“What to do if you still didn’t have time to get an appointment with a psychologist? You need to remember that you still have basic knowledge. Confidence, even a little, always helps. If the anxiety is very strong, you need to put aside your textbooks and find a “peace point” for yourself – some people feel good alone, others in the presence of a friend, parents, some close people, or even a cat. Proper breathing is an effective way to reduce anxiety. Make sure your inhalations and exhalations are the same length. As a rule, inhaling and exhaling for at least 4 seconds helps cope with stress,” said the psychologist.

Some students observe many rituals and customs during the exams, which supposedly should ensure easy passing of exams.

“For students who study, for example, at the Faculty of Physics and study the laws of nature, this is strange. But, on the other hand, if it brings the slightest peace of mind, why not?” said Natalya Kovalenko .

The expert recalled that the most obvious way to reduce stress is to prepare for exams during the semester.