News Argus, April/May 2000
Campus News / Sports
Stress Busters
From tai chi and meditation to shopping,
techniques help sooth many end-of-the-semester worries
Keith Caesar
Reporter
Crunch time is here again and if you've sur
vived since the last go around than you've
been acquainted with stress. But there is no
need to pull your hair out because there are
things you can do to leave stress behind.
As we approach the end of this school year,
many of us are faced with not having papers
finished or the sudden influx of work which
has been thrown on us at once. All of which
have only perpetuate to an increase in stress
levels.
So what can be done to tame that dragon
we call stress?
Meeshay Williams, a counselor at the
University Counseling Center, said that for
many it is normally the same case year round
when it comes to finals.
"Students experience anxieties because for
one they are not doing what they are suppose
to be doing and two, they took to long to
come get help."
"Me? 1 encourage students to exercise.
Walk around the track, or around campus,"
Williams said. "Take time out for yourself."
Even if these are not activities which you
enjoy doing, there are a number of other
things which you can try when dealing with
the stress of finals.
Techniques such as Biofeedback, breathing
techniques, exercise, humor, imagery, medita
tion, tai chi and yoga are just a few of the
ways that you can lower your stress levels.
These techniques can be done anywhere at
any time and will help you focus on achiev
ing your goal rather than waiting with a
sense of excessive worry or irritation.
Williams said, "Shop, go to movies. Do
something that you enjoy doing."
Many students follow that advice.
Carmille Akande, a sophomore, said,
"Relax, take a few minutes, find something
else to do to ease the time. Sit on the wall,
play pool, but relax."
The true test of how well you have dealt
with your stress will come at exam time.
Even when your are faced with the blank
sheet and questionnaire next to it, Williams
said that even at that point it is not to late to
lower you stress level.
"Deep breaths always work. Daydream,
see yourself on an island," Williams said.
This is a technique which works well for
Tonya Jackson, a junior, "I take a deep breath
and move faster."
But she does admit that stress does some
times get the better of her, "I'm going and
going before I finally crash."
For some stress does not even become an
issue. Nasif Gordon, a sophomore, said, "I
don't get stress out on finals. If I know, I
know if I don't I don't."
And for Frederick Locks, a freshman, "I just
take things as an when they come."
Overall these techniques should help ease
you of whatever stress you are feeling. But
most often, those who are prepared for he test
will be ready. And those who aren't, won't.
Ultimately, preparation is the key. For some
its the end of the road. For others, its just the
beginning.
Washington signs contract
Semaj Robinson
Sports Editor
Thomas Washington, the CIAA defensive
player of the year, has signed a 2-year free-
agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Thomas, a senior who is majoring in sports
management, helped lead Winston-Salem
State University to the 1999 CIAA Football
Championship and to a \ ictory over
luskegee Uni\ersity in the Pioneer Bowl.
Although Thomas was selected in the sev
enth round by the Kansas City Chiefs, he was
disappointed he wasn't selected earlier.
"I thought I would have been a fourth-
round pick," he said, "The way I compare
with everybody else, I was in the top of the
group."
I here v\ ere ses eral teams interested in
Ihomas, including the Arizona Cardinals,
jacksonv ille Jaquars, San Francisco 49ers, the
St. I.ouis Rams, who won the 2(M)() Super
Bowl, and the Carolina Panthers.
Before the draft, the Washington Redskins
informed Thomas that he would be a proba
ble sixth- or seventh-round choice.
Thomas said that if he doesn't make it on
the Chiefs' roster, he knows there are other
opportunities.
"The NFL is just like any other job," he
said.
"If somebody thought enough of you to
bring you into camp, it doesn't mean another
door isn't open somewhere else."
Thomas was honored on Saturday, April 29,
at the Winston-Salem State University
Athletic Awards Banquet.
He was selected as the Most Valuable
Player on defense.
This past season, his honors included
Preseason Street & Smith All-American Team,
Statesville and Winston-Salem City Classic
defensive player of the game. First team All-
CIAA (for the fourth time), the Marines Black
College All-American Team, the AFCA
Burger King Coaches All-America Team, and
the 100% Wrong Club of Atlanta All-
American Team.
Got a story? Give us a call. 750-2327.
with Chiefs
Fall Football Schedule
September:
2 at Mars Hill College
9 Bowie State University
16 at Hampton University
23 Virginia Union University
30 Fayetteville State University
October;
7 Livingstone College
(Homecoming game)
14 at N.C. Central University
21 at Virginia State University
29 at Johnson C. Smith
University
November:
4 at Elizabeth City State Univ.
All home games (noted in bold
type) will be played at Bowman
Gray Stadium. For information,
contact WSSU Athletic
Department, 750-2141.
Go Rams!