Rising to the occasion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nEvery year, the University of Washington recognizes 100 undergraduate and graduate students from the Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma campuses who have made the most of their time at the UW \u2014 inside and outside the classroom.\u202fThese Husky 100 students actively connect the dots between what they learn in their studies with what they want to do to make a difference on campus, in their communities and for the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chuesh, who minored in Biology and in Neuroscience, is one of six honorees from UW Bothell<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nShe also participated in a research study, worked as a day camp unit leader for children with disabilities, volunteered at the UW Bothell\u2019s Collaboratory<\/a> and held a position as an undergraduate research assistant for the Short Mindfulness Activity to Reduce Test Stress (or SMARTS) project administered by Dr. Bryan White and Dr. Linda Eaton. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cEmerald is a perfectionist, and when I first met her, I saw the struggles she had with anxiety,\u201d said White. \u201cHowever, in the year and a half I worked with her, I have witnessed a grand transformation. She has pushed herself outside of her comfort zone so many times and continues to rise to the occasion.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Testing test anxiety<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nChuesh got her first experience doing research into the mental health of adolescents and college students through the SMARTS project. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eaton, an assistant professor in the School of Nursing & Health Studies<\/a>, and White, a teaching professor in the School of STEM<\/a>, wanted to find out if mindfulness could work in reducing test anxiety in students. More than 50 students applied to be part of the project, but only three were hired \u2014 and Chuesh was one of them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cThis was my first \u2018I can make a difference\u2019 moment,\u201d she said. \u201cI could finally be a part of something impactful.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She and her fellow researchers set out to design a mindfulness intervention audio recording that students could listen to before exams in the hopes of lowering their heart rates, improving their physiological health and making them feel calmer \u2014 and therefore able to perform better on their tests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n“This was my first \u2018I can make a difference\u2019 moment. I could finally be a part of something impactful.”<\/p>Emerald Chuesh, Health Studies \u201924<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\nRevealing results<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe final recording was seven minutes long and incorporated pieces from different mindfulness practices including a breathing exercise, a body scan and a segment on positive affirmations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on data collected from 29 students, the results revealed that a short mindfulness activity did reduce increases in heart rates during exams. Also noteworthy was the result that 56% of participants said they would continue to use the recording before a future exam. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe experience was inspirational as I got to work with real people and learn their names, their experiences with test anxiety and why this study was as important to them as it was to me,\u201d Chuesh said. \u201cIt also showed me that the applications of non-pharmacological treatments and non-Western medicine, such as our mindfulness intervention, can hold great significance in public health.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She also explained that many cultures have deep histories with traditional medicine from natural remedies. \u201cI\u2019ve witnessed how individuals will shy away from unfamiliar Western treatments, such as synthesized pills, despite their high success rates,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnderstanding and working with underrepresented populations is a key aspect of public health. Given I am considering becoming a health care worker, I need to try my best to understand the perspectives and viewpoints of multiple marginalized groups.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Difficult and rewarding<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
She also participated in a research study, worked as a day camp unit leader for children with disabilities, volunteered at the UW Bothell\u2019s Collaboratory<\/a> and held a position as an undergraduate research assistant for the Short Mindfulness Activity to Reduce Test Stress (or SMARTS) project administered by Dr. Bryan White and Dr. Linda Eaton. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEmerald is a perfectionist, and when I first met her, I saw the struggles she had with anxiety,\u201d said White. \u201cHowever, in the year and a half I worked with her, I have witnessed a grand transformation. She has pushed herself outside of her comfort zone so many times and continues to rise to the occasion.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Chuesh got her first experience doing research into the mental health of adolescents and college students through the SMARTS project. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Eaton, an assistant professor in the School of Nursing & Health Studies<\/a>, and White, a teaching professor in the School of STEM<\/a>, wanted to find out if mindfulness could work in reducing test anxiety in students. More than 50 students applied to be part of the project, but only three were hired \u2014 and Chuesh was one of them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis was my first \u2018I can make a difference\u2019 moment,\u201d she said. \u201cI could finally be a part of something impactful.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n She and her fellow researchers set out to design a mindfulness intervention audio recording that students could listen to before exams in the hopes of lowering their heart rates, improving their physiological health and making them feel calmer \u2014 and therefore able to perform better on their tests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n “This was my first \u2018I can make a difference\u2019 moment. I could finally be a part of something impactful.”<\/p>Emerald Chuesh, Health Studies \u201924<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n The final recording was seven minutes long and incorporated pieces from different mindfulness practices including a breathing exercise, a body scan and a segment on positive affirmations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Based on data collected from 29 students, the results revealed that a short mindfulness activity did reduce increases in heart rates during exams. Also noteworthy was the result that 56% of participants said they would continue to use the recording before a future exam. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe experience was inspirational as I got to work with real people and learn their names, their experiences with test anxiety and why this study was as important to them as it was to me,\u201d Chuesh said. \u201cIt also showed me that the applications of non-pharmacological treatments and non-Western medicine, such as our mindfulness intervention, can hold great significance in public health.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n She also explained that many cultures have deep histories with traditional medicine from natural remedies. \u201cI\u2019ve witnessed how individuals will shy away from unfamiliar Western treatments, such as synthesized pills, despite their high success rates,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUnderstanding and working with underrepresented populations is a key aspect of public health. Given I am considering becoming a health care worker, I need to try my best to understand the perspectives and viewpoints of multiple marginalized groups.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\nTesting test anxiety<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Revealing results<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Difficult and rewarding<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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