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How Mount Marty Finals Affect Mental Health

Finals week at Mount Marty University hits differently. The quiet library carrels fill up, caffeine becomes a food group, and suddenly everyone is a little on edge. It’s a time packed with deadlines, late-night study sessions, and more emotional ups and downs than a season of March Madness. But beneath the humor and hustle, finals week has a real impact on students’ mental health.

1. Stress Levels Skyrocket

Finals naturally bring pressure, but at Mount Marty, where small class sizes help professors actually know you by name, some students feel extra pressure to perform. Expectations—both internal and external—tend to peak.
This can lead to:

• Difficulty sleeping

• Increased anxiety

• Irritability or emotional fatigue

• Feeling overwhelmed

Even students who normally stay on top of their work can feel the crunch when those cumulative exams roll around.

2. Lack of Routine = Mental Fog

Finals week throws normal routines out the window. Workouts get skipped, meals happen at odd times, and sleep schedules completely crumble. For many students, structure acts like an anchor for mental well-being—so when it's lost, focus and mood can take a hit.

3. Campus Culture: Supportive but Still Stressful

One thing Mount Marty does well is community. Study groups form fast, professors often offer review sessions, and friends tend to check in on each other. Still, the overall atmosphere during finals is tense. Even in the cafeteria or dorm lounges, that shared stress hangs in the air. Being constantly surrounded by stressed-out people makes it even easier to feel drained.

4. The Comparison Trap

On a small campus, it's easy to compare yourself to classmates. Hearing that someone else has already finished their paper or is “totally ready” for an exam can make you feel behind—even when you’re not. This academic comparison loop is one of the most overlooked contributors to finals-related anxiety.

5. The Mind-Body Combo

As mental pressure builds, the body reacts:

• Headaches

• Exhaustion

• Stomach issues

• Weakened immune system

And once the body starts breaking down, mental resilience drops too. This cycle is incredibly common during finals week.

6. But There’s Good News…

Finals week doesn’t have to wreck your mental health. Students at Mount Marty report that the following strategies help the most:

• Short mental breaks during long study stretches

• Movement, even a 10-minute walk around campus

• Using campus supports like the counseling center

• Realistic study goals instead of marathon cramming

• Social support, whether from roommates, teammates, or friends

• Sleep—your brain literally performs better when rested

7. A Reminder to Students

Finals matter, but your mental health matters more. Grades do not define your worth, and exhaustion isn’t a badge of honor. You’re allowed to take time for yourself, slow down, and breathe. Mount Marty’s mission emphasizes community, compassion, and the value of the whole person—finals week included.
Also... Christmas break is right around the corner, so make the most of all the hard work and have a blessed break!!!

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Shout outs: 
Men's Basketball for a win vs. Briar Cliff! 
Track & Field for three people meeting national standard in the season opener! 
- Mya Zohner (Pole Vault) 
- Paige Clausen (Pole Vault) 
- Logan Ferarri (Long Distance) 

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