Stressed out? There’s no way anyone will be able to understand all of the college-induced craziness you’ve had to endure these past few weeks. And to make things even “better,” the semester isn’t even over yet.
Believe it or not, stress is a sickness. It can affect you mentally, physically, and emotionally. But how do you avoid it?
Let’s be honest: sometimes feeling stressed out is inevitable. The best thing you can do is learn how to deal with it in a healthy way: that excludes binge eating.
With everything that you’ve dealt with so far—tests, quizzes, projects, even relationsh*t problems—it can be difficult to take some time to take care of yourself.
Taisje Claiborne, a junior at Temple University, agrees that we college students “work too damn hard and get little recognition.” She recommends “tak[ing] some time out to appreciate yourself and all your great accomplishments.”
That being said, here are some positive tips to help you get through your stress:
Don’t Procrastinate
There’s no way anyone can begin to stress this enough, no pun intended. A HUGE way to eliminate stress is to make sure that you at least try to get all of your priorities accomplished ahead of time. Waiting until the last minute will drive anyone crazy. Also, take advantage of all of your resources.
Jesse Robertson, a junior at West Virginia Wesleyan, says that going to the library and talking to professors are great starts to getting work accomplished.
“During finals time, I utilize all of the academic services my school has to offer,” Robertson said. “That means the library, tutors and the writing center.”
Rest
Go to sleep! Pulling consecutive all-nighters are NOT the way to go. Seven to eight hours of sleep can do your body and your mind some good. Don’t think so? Try it. You’d be amazed at how much more refreshed you’ll feel in the morning.
Treat Yourself!
Take part in some quality alone time by reading a book or taking yourself out on a date. Anything involving you, you and you is great in reducing stress. Even taking a break from sharing a bed with your partner for a night if you have to. Claiborne firmly believes in treating yourself after a big test.
“Too often I’m rushing about from class to class just grabbing food that’s convenient,” Claiborne said. “So after a stressful week or test, I take some time out for myself and do something I enjoy, like dining out!”
Listen to Music
Meditate to some soothing music. Sometimes listening to your favorite band or trying another genre could be calming and can even make a great soundtrack to work.
A Higher Power
Faith that there will be better days and praying that those will be in the near future can take you a long way. Be thankful because things could always be worse: that much will always be true. Take a few moments every now and then to realize where you are and where you could be.
Ultimately, it’s your choice on how you handle your own stress. But, if you try out these tips, I guarantee that your stress level will be significantly reduced. Until then, turn that frown upside down and cheer up! And best of luck to you freshmen who are new to all of this.
