Stress Monitoring During University Exam Period Using Smartwatches

For most university students, the exam period is a source of stress impacting their routines, productivity, and physical and mental well-being. Being aware of the increased popularity of different wearable gadgets such as smartwatches and their efficiency in measuring various parameters, this study utilized Fitbit wearable devices to monitor various metrics among students during their exam period, mainly focusing on stress levels and heart rate variability. The group of students monitored during the study consisted of third, fourth, and fifth-year students at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing. The collected data from Fitbit wearable devices was used to identify patterns and correlations between biometric indicators and academic stress. During the exam period, students were asked for qualitative self-reports to compare with the quantitative metrics from wearable devices, such as changes in heart rate, temperature, and stress scores. Based on different factors such as workload, exam type, or time of day, results showed measurable physiological responses to the stress caused by the exam period. Additionally, by highlighting variations in heart rate and stress levels, the findings demonstrate the potential of wearable technology as a valuable and widespread tool for monitoring and, consequently, managing stress in educational settings.