As college students, we have so many new experiences thrown at us every day, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and feel stressed out. I know this feeling very well, as I was just a freshman not too long ago, but here are my tips on how to cope with stress when you’re just starting college. Whether you’re worried about your classes, not fitting in with your new friends, or wondering what kind of major you should choose, these stress-busting strategies will help you through the hard times as a college student and keep stress from becoming overwhelming!
Practice Meditation
The first and most important step for dealing with stress is identifying what triggers your negative feelings. From there, it's about experimenting in order to find the coping strategy that works best for you. Meditation has shown a lot of promise as a healthy form of self-care that doesn't involve addiction or unhealthy habits. So if you're looking for something new, here are some tips on how to start meditating.
1) Spend time focusing on the present moment by closing your eyes and breathing deeply through your nose while counting breaths. Meditation apps like Calm or Headspace can also help guide you in mindfulness exercises like body scans or sit-ups. You might be surprised at how much these few minutes each day can help! When practiced regularly, meditation can have positive effects on mental health and quality of life.
2) Reach out to friends/family when things get tough: In college especially, people will tend to isolate themselves because they want to appear strong. But when you feel bad about yourself, remember that this is totally normal and even natural. What really matters is having someone who listens and understands what you're going through when those moments hit (and they will). It's not enough to just say I'm fine. If you need somebody, please know that we're here for you.
1) Keep a journal and write down everything you think about throughout the day. Writing thoughts down can give us perspective we don't usually have when we let our minds wander all over the place. It may seem hard now but over time it gets easier and easier so don't worry! 2) Meditate every night before bed: Spending some time reflecting on your day helps keep anxiety at bay while providing an opportunity to remind yourself of all the good in your life instead of dwelling on any negatives. It's okay if sometimes meditation feels challenging--with practice, any skill becomes easier over time!
Get Creative
There's no denying that freshman year is a tough one. Between school, managing a social life, and getting used to dorm living it can be hard not to feel overwhelmed at times. But while anxiety and stress can feel crippling, they are totally manageable.
Knowing your triggers-and therefore how best to avoid them-is a great first step towards feeling better. The other major thing you can do is make time for yourself (whatever that looks like for you) in between all the chaos of college life. Whether it's something small, like listening to your favorite music or reading a book, or something bigger, like joining an extracurricular club or taking up knitting as a hobby, taking care of yourself is important.
Finally, if things just seem too much and you're struggling with depression or another mental illness related to stress or anxiety- don't be afraid to reach out for help! You deserve the chance to start off on the right foot this semester and feel supported from day one. If you have any worries about your academic performance, talk to a tutor. If you're having difficulty adjusting socially, attend the Undergraduate Peer Mentoring Program and get connected with an upperclassmen mentor who will be able to guide you through those early days. And remember: reaching out for help when it feels like things are too much isn't ever admitting defeat-it's simply choosing health over trying to go at it alone.
Develop Routines
We all know what it's like. There's no way to avoid it. As you finish your summer homework and start preparing for school, freshmen fears about the upcoming year are beginning to set in, but don't panic! Below is a list of tips that will help make this year as stress-free as possible. Continue developing routines by creating a study schedule for each class. Be sure to include time for personal care, sleep, and leisure activities outside of studying. Keep up on academics through reading and completing work from previous semesters as well as reviewing old notes and textbooks from other classes. Organize your space by placing bookshelves near areas where you spend most of your time studying or doing work. With these simple adjustments, you'll feel more prepared when it comes time to get back into the swing of things after winter break! Trying to cope with too much stress? Practice breathing exercises, take a walk outside, listen to music, do yoga or tai chi before starting your day. Remember: everything will be okay. Take one step at a time, and one day at a time. The light at the end of the tunnel is not an illusion. It exists and with practice, you can see it too. Make changes today that will affect your future self, because tomorrow never arrives without warning. If someone offers to give you some advice on how to handle stress, take it - sometimes they have insight that others may not possess. College isn't always going to be easy - accept challenges instead of fearing them. You have resources available right now - go out and explore them!
Seek Out Encouragement
It's easy to get overwhelmed in your first year of college. You might be homesick or nervous about keeping up in your classes. There will be times when you're feeling really down, but there are some things you can do. Talk to friends, take deep breaths, eat good food, and sleep as much as possible. Having supportive people around is important too! Don't be afraid to reach out for help when you need it; that's what friends and family are for. Remember that all the other freshmen feel this way too and they are not alone either! Check out these articles for more on how to cope with stress: 7 Tips for Managing Your First Semester as a College Freshman and A Student's Guide to Coping With Stress.
When getting settled into college, having support from friends and family is essential to help you settle into your new lifestyle. Establishing connections at university allows you to ask questions and make a group of people who understand what you're going through! Reach out to members of fraternities, sororities or clubs that interest you as well as professors because they have been through everything before too. Additionally, if life seems overwhelming for an extended period of time or taking away from social activities start taking steps towards reaching professional mental health care right away. It’s always better to seek care early rather than later so problems don’t spiral out of control. Some students find talking to a counselor one-on-one helpful while others prefer group sessions where they can meet others who are struggling as well. No matter which option you choose, remember that seeking treatment doesn't mean something is wrong with you--in fact, it means you're being proactive in maintaining your mental health. And remember, the feelings will pass!
My freshman fears were immense and I was terrified of failing academically. I never considered seeking out help until my grades started slipping lower than ever before and I realized my mind wasn't in the game anymore. If you're experiencing difficulties beyond what friends and family can offer then try consulting someone outside of your inner circle for advice or guidance!
Take A Nap
Set a timer on your phone for fifteen minutes and take a nap. Sometimes all you need is some rest in order to continue moving forward. If this doesn't work, break out your fave cold drink or food, find your favorite playlist and do what you need to feel rejuvenated! You can always leave this one out if it's not practical. Another great way to destress is through doing something physical. Exercise gives the body natural endorphins which improve mood and boost energy levels.
There are many other ways that I have found effective when coping with stress from my time as a freshman here at Hogwarts. I have noticed that when studying intensely for exams, time flies by faster than I anticipated so just keep working at it because there will be light at the end of the tunnel soon enough! It's also really important to sleep well; make sure you are getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night before an exam or major project deadline because your mind needs adequate rest in order to process information efficiently! We've already discussed exercising but another good way to release tension is to cook or bake. Cooking calms the mind and forces us to slow down our pace so that we can fully enjoy what we're making. Have fun with it too! Remember cooking isn't about following a recipe, but more about cooking how you want based off of taste preference, craving and availability of ingredients. Make sure to try different types of cuisine while experimenting with new recipes and flavors. And lastly, remember to set aside time to spend with loved ones who support you unconditionally. Find a study group that has similar goals as you do, take up gardening or start up a club where people share their common interests together like astronomy club! There are so many opportunities for success at Hogwarts but don't forget about your personal growth either!
Eat Healthy
Students often make the mistake of thinking that eating unhealthy food is a good way to deal with stress. However, these types of foods can negatively affect your body in many ways and make you feel even worse. In order to stay happy and healthy during your first year of college, try stocking up on fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products like yogurt, eggs, or cottage cheese, whole grains such as oatmeal or brown rice and lean proteins like chicken breast or salmon. These items will help provide you with the energy you need during this important time in your life! Don't Forget Exercise: Exercise has been shown to be one of the best ways for students to manage their stress levels. A 20-minute walk after class or at least three days per week at the gym can help improve concentration and mental clarity, keep moods stable, burn off tension, relieve depression and anxiety, ease muscle tension from sitting too long, boost self-esteem and confidence, create more opportunities for social interaction -allowing for an improved quality of life all around! Remember Your Friends: Surrounding yourself with people who care about you not only helps you get through difficult times but also makes those tough moments easier. Whether it's just a friend to have coffee with or someone who understands what you're going through, talk to them about how they dealt with similar situations. Listen To Music: Sometimes music can do wonders when it comes to relieving stress. Whether it's listening while studying or getting ready for bed, research shows that listening to music before bed actually decreases cortisol (stress hormone) levels by 68%. Try turning on some calming tunes next time you are feeling overwhelmed and see if it doesn't work!
Exercise
Just remember, you're not the only one that is experiencing this! As a recent high school graduate myself, I have found a few helpful ways to make my transition from high school life to college life easier. Exercise is one of the best ways for me. Working out releases endorphins which provide you with a natural and healthy high! Exercise can also help relieve some stress. You might find it difficult at first because of time constraints and class load, but it will get easier as you get used to your routine. Go for short walks between classes if possible; it'll give you time to clear your head and focus on anything other than school work. Find something else that makes you happy! It doesn't matter what it is-- be creative. I love singing, so I've joined an acapella group here on campus. If music isn't your thing, try volunteering or reading a book. Whatever makes you happy, do it when you need a break from studying or homework! Keep in mind that everyone goes through these types of things when they go to college. Be kind to yourself, take care of yourself, and know that there are always people around willing to lend a helping hand.
Quite helpful
ReplyDelete