It's that time of year again. The semester is coming to an end, projects and papers are due and finals are creeping around the corner. In addition, the bills still need to be paid, the animals fed and the parents want a visit or a call. And then there's sleep. And everything else.
Stress seems to be inevitable.
Nervousness, variations in eating habits and lack of sleep are characteristics of stress. Leonard Kirklen, clinical psychologist for the Counseling Center for Human Development, said he sees many students who have gone to the USF Health Center for these reasons. He said oftentimes these behaviors are due to numerous little events which add up to cause stress. Because every person's stress reactions are different, he said it is important for people to realize their own stress signs and levels. Most people don't acknowledge stress until they reach a high level or overload.