Five Ways to Overcome Stress in College

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Five Ways to Overcome Stress in College
Words: 700 | Date: Fri, 7 May 2010

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. Form a study group. If you're struggling to get through a particular course, form a study group to hone in on that class. Get a group of four or five of your peers together and go over the material once a week. You will be amazed how much easier it is to understand things when you have the input of several other minds. And it is very likely you will have things to offer them, things that they didn't understand from the lecture or the text.

3. Eat well. If you are on meal plan, pick your foods carefully. Make sure you eat plenty of vegetables (especially leafy greens), protein, and complex carbs (brown rice, bran, oatmeal). Buy yourself a good nutrition book if you don't know which foods are healthiest for you. If you live off campus, take the time to cook simple meals like rice and beans, grilled cheese sandwiches, pasta and vegetables, salad. Once a week, cook something a bit more involved that you can keep in the fridge and heat up all week-a casserole or a soup, perhaps. Try not to each too much sugar. And don't let yourself get too hungry; hunger can look a lot like stress and make you feel crazy and overwhelmed. Eating well, on the other hand, will go a long way toward helping you feel centered and efficient.

4. Seek help. If you are having trouble with a particular course, or if your course load feels too heavy, or if you find yourself feeling worried and nervous much of the time, talk to your advisor. That's what he or she is for. Don't try and tough it out. You (and maybe your parents) are paying good money to be in college, and you have the right to get the most out of it that you can. Being overwhelmed and stressed is not the best way to learn. Your advisor may suggest you drop a course and add something different, or take fewer credits for a semester. If talking to your advisor isn't enough, consider seeing the college counselor or a therapist to talk things through.

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 can be a lot to handle. But your stress level will abate if you are careful to take good care of yourself. Eat three meals a day, spend time with your friends, keep your workload at a reasonable level, and make sure you get enough sleep. If you still don't feel well, get help. It may be just a matter of a meeting or two with your advisor or a therapist to get you feeling like yourself again.
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.

Article Source: Article Directory | Author Hilary Sloin | Cheap WebHosting

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