As Finals Week approaches, some ISU students say the key to eliminating tension during this trying time period is preparation.

Some students are dealing with pre-Dead Week stress through effective time management and increased class attendance.

“I began studying for finals early, so I wouldn’t be so swamped during Dead Week,” said Matt Knott, junior in electrical engineering.

Although four of his five finals are electrical engineering classes, Knott is “not really” stressed out. He is preparing for finals by studying his notes prior to class and attending classes regularly, he said.

If students space their work out in the preceding weeks, they shouldn’t experience too much anxiety, said Joe Avella, sophomore in graphic design.

Avella has five projects due during the next two weeks, but he is not one of the many students who will be “running around the design building trying to get things done at the last minute,” he said.

Avella and Knott are among the stress-free students, but Gretchen Frietsche, sophomore in construction engineering, said she is one student who will be experiencing pressure when Finals Week rolls around.

“I am not stressed yet, but will be soon,” she said. “I am thinking about what I need to do to get prepared. … I have three finals in one day.”

During Dead Week, Frietsche intends to take advantage of study guides and be diligent about attending class, she said.

Louisa Lorensen, freshman in construction engineering, said she is experiencing unease as she tries to prepare for her three finals.

“I am trying to catch up for everything I didn’t do that I was supposed to do this semester,” she said. “I am considering taking a semester off. I am sick of using my brain.”

As finals approach, some students are feeling a different kind of stress best described as anticipation.

Pre-graphic design majors are preparing for their portfolio review that consist of three components, said Katie Mulvihill, freshman in pre-graphic design.

“It includes the work we’ve done in the past year,” she said. “Grade point is 50 percent, our art display counts as 35 percent and the intro to graphic design analysis project is 15 percent.”

Mulvihill’s work is completed, but she is nervous about the application process itself, she said.

“Basically, I am asking myself, ‘What am I going to do if I don’t get in?'” she said.

Regardless of the type of stress, students need to sleep eight hours a night and eat healthy, said Kathleen MacKay, dean of students.

“If you take care of yourself physically, you’ll be better able to take on the academic challenge,” she said.

Lorenson places sleep at the top of her priority list, she said.

“I don’t let studying come in the way of sleep,” she said.

In addition to eating well and sleeping, MacKay said exercising can help bust stress.

“Whether it is walking or running, exercise is helpful,” she said.

The Academic Success Center can help students create a schedule to manage their time for the next two weeks, MacKay said.

“[Academic Success Center] can help students maximize their time during Dead Week and finals,” she said. “They can provide short-term tips.”

Mulvihill said she finds day-to-day scheduling is helpful.

“I am organizing my time and deciding what I need to do daily to prepare for my portfolio,” she said.

Students can take advantage of Supplemental Instruction sessions through the Academic Success Center, MacKay said.

“It is never too late to start going to [Supplemental Instruction] sessions,” she said.