The muscles tense up, the brain stops thinking properly, and headaches are recurring. Wanting to run away and hide is common, especially while taking multiple classes with many deadlines. Stress is a familiar feeling for students during the semester.
Someone who is dealing with high levels of stress will feel less motivated because they do not know how to channel their stress in a proper, healthy way. College students can feel intensely under pressure, sometimes causing them to not come back to school
Respiratory therapy major, Jennifer Walsh, 31, said that when she is stressed out she “sits down and does pottery.” Being excited about a new major has heightened her motivation, and she wants to earn “a better life for myself, and my family.”
American River College Nurse Robyn Huetter gives some great tips to help reduce stress.
• The most important is to “be physically active. Just getting out, taking a fast walk and getting the body moving can reduce stress,” says Huetter.
• “Taking deep breaths, thinking, and concentrating on the breath relaxes us,” says Huetter.
• Talking to someone about what is going on will also relieve stress. Positive self-talk such as “I can do this,” and “I can get through this,” will create a positive attitude when feeling stressed out.
Unhealthy ways of dealing with stress can make situations worse.
• Energy drinks, McDonald’s cheeseburgers, and candy are not healthy. “Your body can’t function because it doesn’t have correct nourishment,” says Huetter. Eating healthier makes a big difference.
• According to WebMD, “Take good care of yourself. Get plenty of rest. Eat well. Don’t smoke. Limit how much alcohol you drink.”
Ways to avoid stress altogether.
• Time management and not falling into procrastination. If someone is planning things out, they may “feel more in control, and know when assignments are due,” says Huetter.
• “Find a balance,” says Huetter. “Not trying to fit so much in a day will reduce the amount of stress on a person.”
• According to WebMD, “try out new ways of thinking.” When someone is stressed it is difficult to have a clear mind.
Each semester students endure a different amount of stress due to various factors, so stop by the Health Center, the staff has many resources to offer.
