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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 6, 1990)
The Battalion LIFESTYLES Lifestyles Editor Lisa Ann Robertson 845-3313 Symptoms alert students to stress By ERIKA GONZALEZ-LIMA, Ph.D. College life can be fiercly competitive. Students scramble for classes and good grades, not to mention on-campus housing, parking spaces, friends and dates. Competition may prepare students for the real world, but too much of it can lead to stress. Stress is the way our bodies react to sudden or drastic demands. It is an unavoidable part of living, and its in terpretation as good (eustress) or bad (distress) is both unique and personal. Students face many stress-inducing pressures such as chopsing a major, finding privacy, fighting homesick ness, adjusting financial responsibilities. Prsonal, work and social commitments also demand time and energy, and there never seems to be enough time to accomplish everything. The result is stress. The body responds to stress in three stages: alarm (arousal), resistance (defense) and exhaustion (break down). When stress becomes prolonged or particularly frus trating, it becomes harmful. It weakens the immune system, thus increasing a student’s chances of getting sick. Diseases associated with chronic stress include hyper tension, irritable bowel, eczema, coronary heart disease, headaches, ulcers, allergies, asthma, depression and emotional breakdowns. John Moore, M.D., staff physician at the A.P. Beutel Health Center, sees a significant number of students with physical complaints probably related to stress. “Upon evaluation, I treat any physical symptoms and then I refer the student to the Student Counseling Cen ter if necessary,” Moore says. Moore adds that many students come for ulcer-like symptoms such as nervous diarrhea and acid indiges tion (early signs of this psychogenic disease) and are of ten treated with anxiolitics. When depression is diag nosed, anti-depressants may be prescribed. There are two types of signals, emotional and physi cal, that students must watch for as indications of being under stress. Emotional signals: Do you always feeling rushed, without enough time to get things done well or at al? Are you unable to slow down and relax? Do you feel irritable and moody, an gry, or want to cry for minor incidents? It may be a sign of stress. Physical signals: Do you have difficulty digesting food, leading to di arrhea, increased heart rate and blood pressure? Do you suffer from decreased skin temperature, frequent headaches and muscles aches due to chronic tension? Again, consider stress as a cause. Some effective management techniques to reduce stress are: • Exercise: Non-competitive exercise such as swim ming, aerobics, walking, biking and yoga, done at least 30 minutes, three days a week, are excellent ways to re lieve stress. Regular exercise will also release endorphins in the brain which decreases depression and increases mental and emotional well-being. • Good nutrition: Try to avoid stress-conducive foods such as those high in sugar, salt, refined grains, fats, caffeine (coffee, tea, sodas, chocolate) and alcohol. Eat regular, well-balanced meals, with plenty of fruits, fiber and vegetables. With your physician’s ap proval, take a multiple vitamin and a B-complex vita- Thursday, September 6,1 Math adds anxiety L to students’ lives By By HELEN WOLFE The word math has the ability to send chills up am down the spines of the bravest souls. But for thoseili; continue to shiver, help is on the way in the formol new book titled, “MATH! A Four Letter Word”. Authors Angela Sembera and Michael Hovis befo they have the answer to the problem of dealing wi| math anxiety and avoidance. “There’s a big mystique about math,” Sembtij said.“It’s been said you either have a right braini math or a left brain.” Everyone is capable of learning math but the fitj step is to talk to someone about any problems you having, she said. Sembera was a math teacher for eleven years at tl high school and college level. She was inspired toco* thor the book because of her experiences with student negative feelings about math. “Students would drop math, instead of sticking wit it, the minute things got hard,” she said. Even elementary school teachers are afraid of mat and don’t like teaching it, she said. Co-author Hovis, executive director of Public Film Inc. added his expertise as a video expert and comnw nicator. Their original idea of dealing with math probleirs developed into a math anxiety video by the boob name. “Angela works as the math expert and I put it init words so it’s easily understood,” Hovis said. The video has been used in the educational sect# only for a couple of years, Sembera said. Major universities and high schools in the United States and Canada are currently using the video ast teaching aid. The video inspired the book which is for students* well as non-students. The authors created characters named “Matt, tlit Math Hater,” “Tony, the Test Anxious Student,” and “Julie, the Family Joke” to aid in addressing differem problem areas with math. Sembera said negative things heard by friends and parents can also be part of the problem. “It’s passed on, like being afraid How to handle • Get enough sleep: Get at least six hours of sleep every night to reduce fatigue. Fatigue greatly reduces your ability to handle stress. • Assertiveness training: Learn to say no and not feel guilty. You have the right to make responsible choices without apologies. Saying “No” can prevent you from overcommitting yourself and therefore suffering undue stress. Also learn to delegate responsibility and to enlist the support of others. • Time planning: Organize your time. Try to sched ule your tasks in order of priority and leave some time for recreation. • Improve your outlook: Have realistic expectations of yourself and others, improve your self-esteem, deal with your problems before they get worse and learn to use valuable techniques such as positive self-talk, posi tive imagery, communication skills and problem solv ing. • Seek help: It helps to talk to someone about your problems. A friend, a relative, or a teacher can help. Sometimes it is better to talk with a professional coun selor or psychologist who can be more objective helping you find a solution to your problems. Stress consumes your energy and compromises your health. When you begin to incorporate stress manage ment techniques in your life, you will have more energy to devote to school, work, family and friends. Most of all, you will improve your health and well-be- ing on all levels: physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual. Erika Gonzalez-Lima is the Health Education Coordinator at the Texas A&M A.P. Beutal Health Center and a health col umnist for Lifestyles. of going to the dot tor,” she said. Another problem is the way math problems are per ceived. “The biggest reason for problems with math is thert are so many ways to look at the same problem,” Sen bera said.“People are afraid if they don’t catch on ri| away they’re dumb.” Sophomore Pamela Lee said she loved math unti Math 121-Analytical Geometry and Calculus. The professor was too complex, she said.“I gotaneg ative attitude and it went downhill from there,” Let said. Sembera said that looking at a problem one m while someone else explains it another way causes culties. The book attempts to extend an understanding of math. Hovis says, “Anyone can do it as long as they don't get behind.” Though currently available only through mail order stores will carry the book early next year. There is also a math hotline (1-800-MATH 987) for anyone experiencing math anxiety or avoidance proL lems. Helen Wolfe is a senior agricultural journalism major anil feature writer for Lifestyles. Counselors offer ways to solve problem of math stress at A&M sill By KRISTI LORSON Math stress is “definitely a problem” at Texas A&M, but help is available to all stu dents, according to two campus counselors. Free tutor information, study skills man uals and special programs about test anxi ety and concentration problems are avail able at the Student Counseling Service in the YMCA building. Scott Parker, a doctoral intern for the Student Counseling Service, said most problems can easily be corrected with help from a counselor. “We start by teaching them how to relax in a test situation, and teach them effective approaches to preparation and test taking,” he said. A positive attitude toward the math course is as important as the study skills, he said. “Typically, people have a negative expe rience in mathmatics when they’re young and become unmotivated, or they labeled themselves as incompetent in math,” he said. “Anyone who’s able to attend this col lege can do math.” Parker stressed that everyone is equally qualified to succeed in math, regardless of gender. “The cumulative body of research says there is no biological evidence of gender ba sis in mathematic success,” he said. “Today, it is equally prevalent among males and fe males.” Dr. Clarence Dockweiler, the director of a math clinic sponsored by Texas A&M, agreed that students can succeed with some counseling guidance. “Generally, a capable student should be able to relieve stress and handle the class,” he said. “We can usually diagnose and cor rect the problem relatively quickly.” Dockweiler said the lack of per sonal attention in large math classes is often a problem at Texas A&M. “To lessen the difficulty of large classes, let your professor know you’re a human be ing, notjust a number,” he said. “Some con cern comes in and helps in the long run.” Professors can also help by tuning in to the needs of the students in their large classes, Dockweiler said. Encouraging ques- the material in a more tions and presenting concrete and visual way will help the stu dents relate math to what they alread; know, he explained. Usually students with math difficult) have potential to handle math but forsomt reason, don’t use it, Dockweiler said. “It’s phenomenal the kind of things thf students can achieve (with help) in a rela lively short time,” he said. Kristi Lorson is a junior journalism major ani a feature writer for Lifestyles. Kee] import Stage ( the ha over tl dure, 1 of supp But people provide ity proe all walk com mo For ! produc musical Station profit, votes it ture of them w It is love foi these v they an lives tl stage, tl Theii teaching suiting, persona Sandy ' else is bi here,” si Stage been see from I Bryan u Auditor Presei East 29 Town & ter. Side! long-ten home of rently le small, si have be< year and Stage ups and of their ] Palace I then, the ive by pe nity itself Ex By William director of gion” succe tastic horro era of overl Too mar today misi which ulitni • I Prince paints blues, funk talent on new release Graffiti Bridge By ROB NEWBERRY Only the best of artists cover a lot of ground in one album. Prince’s Graffiti Bridge certainly crosses a broad expanse. He puts forth some of his strongest work, while still throwing in some of his weakest. His Royal Badness comes out with some ’60’s-feeling dance tunes and technotronic dance mixes. He ex plains more of his quest for the di vine while keeping his worldliness intact. He rocks, rolls, funks, raps, preaches and moans the blues. The 17-song Graffiti Bridge soundtrack from the forthcoming sequel to Purple Rain, opens with “Can’t Stop This Feeling I Got.” The number plays on the basic dance rock characteristic of the Beatles, but mixes in Prince’s own dance style best heard on 1999 (“Deliriou” and “D.M.S.R”) and Purple Rain (“Let’s Go Crazy” and “Baby, I’m A Star”). Next Prince gets tough with the anthemic tune, “New Power Genera tion.” Right from the start, he tells ou what bugs him: “Pardon me 4 ivin. This is my world 2, I can’t help what’s cool 2 us, might B strange 2 U.” With a very dance-club feel. Prince rants against the establish ment in music, in government, in life and preaches the gospel of youth. Joining Prince on Graffiti Bridge are The Time. The third track on Prince has come up with an amazing release, after sacrificing a lot of originality for last year’s Batman soundtrack. Most of Graffiti Bridge is a bundle of dancy tunes and sex, sex, sex. the album, “Release It,” grooves with drums and bass, as well as Morris Day’s incredible ego shining through the lyrics, “Who’s Stella is this?” Je rome Benton answers, “My Stella.” Day breaks back in, “Then what’s it doin’ over here with me?...Release it, boy!” Prince returns with electronically souped-up blues for “The Question of U.” His soulful voice moves up and down a haunting melody before he tears into a guitar solo that puts him in the category with other blues greats. With the four impressive numbers that open the album, you wonder if something will go wrong. It does. In “Round and Round,” Prince puts overused lyrics together, attempting to match the creativity of the rest of the album, but his effort tails apart And “Shake” is just another dance tune, lacking that special Prince touch. The most disappointing numbfl on the album is the title track, “Graf fiti Bridge.” Prince brought along some extraordinary talent to back him, with gospel great Mavis Staples singing and Sheila E. carrying the percussion. But the lyrics and musk are wishy-washy and trite: “Everybo dy’s looking 4, everybody’s looking! love.” I hear that everywhere, an even Prince doesn’t say it with style. Prince still mixes up religion and sex to its full effect. In “Elephants and Flowers,” Prince preaches “There will be peace 4 those who love God a lot.” Then in “We Can Funk,” Prince and ’70’s funk king George Clinton substitute “funk” fot the F-word everywhere they get a chance: “Pump ’em and funk sick instead Horror d minute and classics sui Howling,” ; see what re: The orig by Blatty a Friedkin, f named Reg possessed b; Father i Miller) and exorcist (M to exorcise t The sequ Heretic,” w hart and dir picks up h frightening (Blair recre; by night mar nccare. Believing the demon 1 mont (Rich; rica where TenJ Ten Ha Bryan-Col Front Pore The D; first appea was instan 5 B-CS nativ trical flip 1 and wack; creates a moves evei sic fans. ’em...Take off my clothes...I’ll funk • n()l) ^ you Prince has come up with an amaz ing release, after sacrificing a lot of orrginality for last year’s Batman soundtrack. Most of Graffiti Bridge is a bundle of dancy tunes and sex, sex, sex. And that’s what Prince does • dio station. • The cor • the Hiltoi • Club, will i • ton’s Blue • room. 1 he better than anyone else. I J ^ een f eatui Rob Newberry is a sophomore Ed |Und on te glish/mathematics double major and a re j % Schilling, 1 viewer for Lifestyles. [ # «##« Nil The Col • conjunctioi • Network, 1 J gie 96 FM, • tion-wide c • benefit for