December 11, 2011
AN END TO STUDENT STRESS
A PROPOSAL TO: Mr. Steve Bucholz, M.S.
Dustin Bergstrom
12703 Larene Dr. Black Hawk, SD 57718
Phone: (605)391 4994
Dustin.bergstrom@stu.wdt.edu
December 11, 2011
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ELIMINATING
FINALS WEEK
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A PROPOSAL TO ELIMINATE STUDENT STRESS
In the modern world education has become more important than ever. Financial crises have forced more and
more companies out of business. This leads to a more competitive and ruthless job market. How does a person
make themselves stand out in this crowded market? One way is through higher education and having a degree.
Studies show that a person with some sort of degree from an institute of higher education has the potential to earn
almost double that of a person with only a high school diploma. Advanced degree holders can earn almost triple.
However, that education comes with a price.
One of the biggest obstacles to achieving goals is stress. In our current economic climate there is an over
abundance of stress. Where will the money to pay this or that come from? Where will I find a job? Can I make it
through school without failing? All of these factors weigh heavily on the student mind. Add in the stress of Finals
week and it can be daunting for even the most stalwart of students.
In the following proposal I will attempt to show how to relieve a bit of anxiety and stress for students by
showing how to help students eliminate finals week stress and make it into just another week of studies.
Dustin Bergstrom
December 11, 2011
NEGATIVE EFFECTS
STRESS
EFFECTS ON HEALTH AND WELL BEING
Stress impacts our daily lives in many ways. It causes myriad
health problems and a decline in positive output. Students
are affected just as well. A report published by the Journal of
American College Health shows that binge drinking among
students increases during periods of high educational stress.
(Henry Wechsler, Jae Eun Lee, Meichun Kuo, Mark
Seibring, Toben F. Nelson, & Hang Lee, 2002) Binge
drinking not only effects the student, but the community as a
whole. Property destruction, medical costs, judicial costs all
are directly attributable to these increased periods of alcohol
use.
Students exhibiting harmful behavior in relieving stress
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Dustin Bergstrom
Month Day Year
What can be done?
GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL TECHNIQUES
A recent article publishes on the Arizona State
University website has many positive and
interesting pieces of information on how students
can relieve stress. The article pointed out that
students need to be aware of their stress levels and
that reaching out for help is important. It also had
ideas for how to relieve those stresses in creative
ways. Group meditation, yoga, even an arts and
crafts group were all ways that students were
finding to cut out the stress. The organizer of the
arts and crafts group stated that there were 4-500
people that attended. (Sinclair, 2011)
PROPOSAL FOR CLASS
What this is all meant to show is that perhaps our student
body could benefit from a required course teaching first
year students how to deal with all of the stressors that
school and in particular finals times will put on them.
Add to this activities throughout finals week such as a fun
night with perhaps an open mic night where students can
try out their comedic side. Laugh at themselves and
others. Provide assistance either through school sources
or prearranged outside sources.
Make sure that all
students know where to turn when the stresses are
leading them to destructive behaviors.
School should not turn into a place that leaves a person
feeling overwhelmed or hurt emotionally or physically.
That Is why I am proposing the class and the activities. If
students can be kept positive and kept relaxed it will
benefit them in more ways than just keeping them well, it
will make them more productive and that will make their
educational experience worth every cent. The future of
our society hinges on education, please consider this when
considering
this
proposal
and
thank
you.
“Type your callout text here.”
DUSTIN BERGSTROM
DUSTIN BERGSTROM
12703 LARENE DR BLACK HAWK, SD 57718
Phone:(605) 391 4994
Dustin.bergstrom@stu.wdt.edu