It is said that “stress is like an iceberg. We can see one-eighth of it above, but what about what’s below?” No one can see or feel that, except for the one who is going through it.
Midterms and assignment deadlines are approaching, and I can already see tired and stressed out faces on the streets of PSU. I guess this is nothing new to a student like myself, but the question is what are we as students doing about this? Are we taking the appropriate measures to deal with such difficult times with our busy schedules and tight deadlines?
Like with any student, and especially with those of us who are not used to the quarter system, student life often becomes a life of stress, worry and anxiety; I have been there myself when I first started college. And one of the problems that many students face is that they don’t know what to do about it, or don’t have the time to deal with it in the first place. As a result, that stress, worry and anger accumulates in their body to the point where the person becomes ill, and once they are ill, they miss their classes, midterms, and everything else, altogether.
As a student, these are some of the ways and means I have applied dur
ing such times: schedule study time and study regularly, take breaks often, and always remember to breathe. But most importantly, eat, drink and try to get enough sleep, exercise moderately, and try to relax (maybe through meditation). These are just some doable practices that have greatly helped me, and might help you too to stay focused throughout the day. What do you do when you are under stress?
If the stress of deadlines and performance becomes too much, they offer counseling at the SHAC. I have been in there a few times for various things, and they are always friendly and competent. It may be hard to get an appointment, but they can squeeze in the occasional walk-in, I believe.
I work full time and take classes online. I have been doing it for 3 years and am in my final couple of terms here at PSU. I can’t remember a day with out stressing out about classes. I think of them while at work and can’t seem to concentrate while I am reading and working on school work at home. I am not really sure how to not stress. I work a high stress job then come home to assignments I don’t want to do.. Any other tips to relax?
Yes, same here, but I believe everything should be done moderately; and instead of pushing myself, I go take a break and do something totally different, like watch a movie for example or meet friends for a couple of hours.
This is an article that seemed to have some good tips:
http://www.essortment.com/stress-management-techniques-college-students-40346.html
Also, if you like reading, here is a very good book on the same topic:
Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh.
Hope you find these helpful, and please feel free to comment back
Marijuana’s medicinal properties make it a very effective and safe treatment for stress. It’s much safer than caffeinated beverages used by most students (Especially energy drinks) in an attempt to increase productivity. Drugs like Adderall, which are chemically almost identical to methamphetamine, are often used by students to combat stress as well. However, both caffeine and prescription drugs pose greater physical and mental risk to the student than marijuana. These solutions also serve only to increase stress for the sake of productivity while marijuana truly reduces overall stress levels.