Although it’s not exactly the ideal way to go through college, sleep deprivation is a bitter reality for some students.

Take Uri Segal, a 21-year-old Biological Science Major at Moorpark College, for example. In the past three days he has accumulated only three hours of sleep.

“I was doing chemistry and tedious typing of boring, boring literature,” Segal said. “It’s all easy, but by the time you finish it’s the next morning.”

While Segal represents an extreme case of classes taking over a schedule, students will face this same stress every day. Luckily, such quicksand is easily avoided if students follow a few simple steps to ward off the stress of classes.

According to Health Services Coordinator Sharon Manakas, the Health Center at Moorpark College offers informative pamphlets and an on-campus physiologist, all of which is included in the $17.00 Student Health Fee.

Manakas also gave some advice to students about how to help ease the stress of school. She believes that procrastination is probably a big cause for stress amongst students, and that balancing life, relationships and the anxiety of test taking are amongst the top culprits of the headaches students feel.

“We tend to procrastinate once we have the assignment,” said Manakas. “If we chop it off and put other things in its place it will make it more difficult for you to stay on top of the homework.”

Manakas also suggested the use of a calendar to help organization and time management, in addition to another key piece of advice.

“You have to really sit down and allow for the unexpected,” Manakas said. “Because it will happen.”

For more information on the student health centers on any district campus, call (805) 378-1413 to reach Moorpark College’s student health center, (805) 986-5832 for Oxnard College and (805) 654-6346 for Ventura College.