College Students and Stress
Making the transition to college can be stressful, especially for first-year students. Often times, students are busy juggling homework, staying up late and trying to maintain a balance between study time and recreation.
Roommate issues, relationship problems and test anxiety are many common causes of stress. Many experts believe students can reduce their stress levels and live a more happy, balanced life by exercising and eating right.
The following information from Dr. Gregory Hall of Bentley College in Waltham, Mass., provides important tips on how students can manage their stress and reduce their worry and anxieties.
Stress Warning Signs
- Changes in sleep patterns; taking longer to fall asleep; waking up tired and not well rested
- Changes in eating patterns
- More frequent headaches than normal
- Shorter temper than normal
- Recurring colds and minor illness
- Frequent muscle ache and/or tightness
- More disorganized than normal
- Increased difficulty in task completion
- A greater sense of persistent time pressure
- Increased generalized frustration and anger
If you notice any changes in your child, seek some assistance from campus counselors. A counselor can assist your student in reducing an unhealthy level of stress.
Proactive Stress Management
Mind and body are integrated as can be seen with the issue of stress. It is no secret that psychological stress and physical illness are related. Stress triggers physiological and chemical (hormonal) changes in the body. Physical illness is commonly accompanied with increased stress. Thus, as we learn to manage stress we must address physical as well as psychological factors. As you consider the following tips, keep in mind that maintaining balance between your intellectual, social and personal development is the key to a well adjusted college experience.
- Add a physical workout to your schedule at least every other day. One does not need to be gifted athletically to accomplish this. You can jog, power walk, use stepper, rowing or biking machines, swim or any other form of exercise. Do not see this as 'recreational time' that can be blown off. Physical activity is a great way to insure that life's minor stresses do not build.
Set both long-term (this semester or this year) and short-term (this day or this week) goals. Write them down. Make them part of your time management schedule.
- Manage your time. Develop a schedule that provides for academic, social and physical time. Follow the schedule! Seek the help of an advisor in developing better time management skills.
- Each day find 20 minutes of 'alone time' to relax. Take a walk, write in a journal or meditate.
- Don't sweat the small stuff. Always ask yourself if the issue at hand is worth getting upset about. If it isn't affecting your goal achievement, it may not be worth fretting over.
- Humor and positive thinking are important tools in stress management.
- Most importantly, communicate! Talking to a person you trust, whether a friend, roommate, family member, professor, significant other or co-worker, is helpful. We all need someone to listen.