How to Beat College Related Stress
College can be overwhelming. You are living away from home, often for the first time and often with someone you don’t know, in a lively community where you are constantly surrounded by people. There are demands to work hard, look hot, make friends, and, above all, to do well. Many students find the stresses of college to be more than they can handle. They end up quitting, and often they rue this choice for the rest of their years. If you find yourself feeling stressed out and overwhelmed, here are some suggestions to restore balance to your life:
1. Exercise. It’s a clich by now, but it’s a clich for a reason. Exercise is the biggest stress buster. Even if you can only manage a brisk walk several times a week, that will be a big help. If you can find a bike to ride or someone to play tennis with, even better. The more you exercise, the better you will feel. You will find your stress level is dramatically decreased and you will sleep better, too.
2. Gather a study group. If you’re stressed about one of your courses, form a study group to zero in on that class. Get four or five of your fellow students together and go over the material weekly. You will be amazed at how much more salient the most puzzling problem becomes when you have other input. And don’t sell yourself short: You have things to offer them, things they didn’t understand from the lecture or the text that made perfect sense to you.
3. Eat balanced meals. If you eat in the dining hall, choose your foods carefully. Make sure you consume plenty of vegetables (e.g., leafy greens, carrots), protein, and complex carbohydrates (brown rice, bran muffins, oatmeal, corn meal). Pick up a nutrition paperback to learn about which foods are best for you. If you live off campus and have a kitchen, prepare quick, simple meals like rice and beans, sandwiches, pasta, stir fry, and salads with cheese and nuts. Once a week, cook something big that you can keep in the fridge and heat up-maybe a casserole or a soup. Try to limit how much sugar you eat. And don’t let yourself get too hungry. Hunger mimics stress, making you feel shakey and ungrounded. Eating well, on the other hand, will help you feel centered and ready for anything.
4. Get help. If you are having trouble with a particular course, if your course load feels like too much, or if you find yourself feeling worried and nervous much of the time, seek out the help of your advisor. That’s what he or she is there for. Don’t try and manage on your own if you aren’t feeling well. You (and maybe your parents) are paying good money to be in college, and you want to get as much out of it as you can. Being overwhelmed and stressed is not the optimal condition for learning. Your advisor may suggest you drop a course and add something else, or take less credits for the semester. If speaking with your advisor isn’t enough, consider talking to the college counselor or a therapist.
5. Have some fun. Remember college is supposed to be the best years of your life. Don’t spend it miserable and stressed. Get out with your friends. Go to the movies or a show. Have some friends over for dinner or drinks. Ask out that guy/girl you like. Spending time with friends is an excellent cure for stress. And don’t be afraid to talk about the stress you’re feeling. You’d be surprised how many other people feel the same thing.
College is often overwhelming. But if you take good care of yourself, your stress level will ease up. Eat well, go out with friends, keep your workload reasonable, and be sure and get enough sleep. If you still don’t feel right, be sure and get someone’s help. Just a meeting or two with your advisor or a therapist can put you on the right track.
Hilary Sloin is a staff writer for the American Educational Guidance Center. She writes on online colleges, accelerated degree programs, and online college doctoral programs.
Processing your request, Please wait....
