During finals week at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, students can stress out so much that it affects them physically.

Derek Nordby, a freshman majoring in metallurgical engineering, said that last semester, during his chemistry final, a student got sick in the classroom.

"I had to sit there, smelling it the remainder of the test," he said.

Luckily, those occurrences are rare because of preventative measures the school takes to alleviate student stress, said Patricia Mahon, dean of students at the School of Mines.

"During orientation, we tell the parents and the students that the key to success is to go to class and do your homework," Mahon said. "We also tell (students) if you need help, ask for help, and if you are getting test anxiety, go see counselors."

If students work diligently throughout the semester, finals week will not be as stressful, according to Patrick Satchell, a sophomore industrial engineering student with a 4.0 grade-point average.

"Honestly, the best thing you can do is to stay current throughout the entire year and don't fall behind in your studies," Satchell said. "If you don't fall behind, you have already learned the information once, and it's easier to review that way."

Satchell, who is a resident assistant in one of the dorms on campus, says the elevated amount of stress during finals week is because students are getting ready to go on internships, leave for co-ops and move home. The stress is worse because there is so much to do to get ready for those changes, Satchell said.

"Also, there's a higher amount of stress just because final tests are weighted more than other tests throughout the year, so you do have to perform well so you can maintain good grades," she said.

The School of Mines provides students with free services during finals week to help ease their stress. A late-night free study breakfast was provided Sunday night, and free cookies and juice are available around campus during the week.

Students could sign up for free massages offered today on campus, and they are encouraged to visit on-campus counselors if they are dealing with text anxiety.

Student assistants on campus also organize study groups for common classes such as chemistry, physics and calculus. They also enforce quiet hours all day long during finals week.

"There is no noise coming from anywhere in the dorms unless they are playing video games, and even then those aren't as loud as normal," Peterson Hall Director Sarah Kelly said.

School of Mines students study throughout campus, but the most common areas are the library, the Surbeck lobby and the dorm study rooms.

"I see a lot of people sleeping in the Surbeck lobby because they are so tired," Kelly said.

Removing distractions and prioritizing will help students during finals week, Satchell said.

"You figure out your areas of weakness in the subject, and then you hit those areas first, and you go over those areas until you are comfortable with them," she said. "Also, you should isolate yourself from everything so you can really focus."

Taking finals is a mind game, according to Nordby.

"I don't let the stress get to me," Nordby said. "You just got to keep your composure during finals. I just think if I get a bad grade, just whatever, I'll take it again. If you panic, you might as well just stick a fork in it - you're done."