7 Tips To Control Stress in College

Today, ‘college’ and ‘stress’ seem to be two synonymous words. The workloads have increased, the competition is more intense, and the pressure to succeed is a constant weight on the already burdened college student’s shoulders. We are taught that success is often the result of receiving a solid education. That a good grade point average will lead to a bright future. We are so fixated on getting an A on our Statistics final exam, landing an internship
with our dream company, and maintaining a high GPA that sometimes we forget to pay attention to our mental health.
It is ingrained in our heads to put “school first.” While it is important to put your all into your education, college is a balancing act. You’re going to occasionally pull an all-nighter studying for a final, or spend all day in the library working on a project. There is no avoiding it—college is a lot of work. But college is also amazing because of the vast amount of opportunities it presents. Whether its athletics, student government, Greek life, or clubs, you have the full ability to shape your college experience.
However, adding these extracurricular activities on top of an already intensive workload creates a more hectic schedule, building more stress as a result. According to the 2015 National College Health Assessment, over 85% of college students felt overwhelmed by everything they had to do at some point within the past year. Slightly over half of the students surveyed felt an overwhelming amount of an anxiety at some point within the past year, and 30% reported that stress negatively affected their academic performance within the last year.
It is imperative to realize how fragile one’s mental health can be. School is important, but your health is what matters most—you only have one opportunity to make your life everything you want it to be. When you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed remember these 7 tips.
Get enough sleep. Lack of sleep cannot only lead to severe illness, but can also increase stress levels. While you may think staying up till 4 am to study for your exam at 8 am will help you get an A, shortchanging yourself on rest can lead to serious issues.
Do not forget about your passions. With so many things going on, it can be hard to make time for the things that make us happy. It could be drawing, running, reading, or creative writing—take a few hours a week to focus on a hobby or activity that you enjoy.
Eat well. College is frequently associated with unhealthy eating—whether it’s pizza for dinner or late night snacking, an unhealthy diet can lower energy levels in the body, leading to a lower threshold for stress.
Exercise. With such a hectic schedule, it may be difficult to find time to dedicate to the gym. However, exercising for as little as 20 minutes per day can reduce stress levels. When you are feeling overwhelmed, partake in a physical activity that you enjoy to help clear your mind.
Try not to overload. It is normal to take on more than you can handle. Be smart when it comes to planning your schedule. Don’t feel ashamed if you have to drop a course or cannot participate in all your clubs organized events. Realize you cannot do it all—and that’s perfectly fine.
Seek help. If you are feeling overwhelmed, venting to a trusted friend or family member can really help. Also, seeking help at your college’s health center by speaking with a mental health professional can help lower stress levels and address any issues such as anxiety or depression. Do not suppress or ignore these feelings—always remember you are not alone.
Stop comparing yourself to others. Just because someone may have a similar class load as you, does not mean you should compare yourself to him or her. Everyone has different academic strengths and weaknesses and absorbs information in their own unique way. Put your mind at ease and be proud of the hard work and effort you put forth everyday.