2008 Woodie Awards
Stress-free back to school
By Joe Stahl, Collegian Staff
Issue date: 9/2/08 Section: Arts & Living
The first week of college can be pretty overwhelming. With all the goals and aspirations for the upcoming semester, getting it all done may seem unrealistic. How is it possible to make the Dean's List, make new friends, get involved on campus and learn how to save money all at the same time? Reaching these competing goals can cause excessive stress.
In a 2003 study of 13,000 college students by researchers at Kansas State University, the percentage of students with stress and anxiety problems nationwide rose from 36 percent to 62 percent over 13 years.
To avoid being a statistic, staying organized is the first step in avoiding stress. No, not in the way your mom wants you to be organized (picking clothes up off the floor or keeping your pencils in your top desk drawer). It is about organizing the thoughts that are scrambling through your head.
Find a quiet place to think and ask yourself, "What do I need to do first?" If to-do lists have helped your struggles with stress in the past, then pull out a pad and pencil. Just let the priorities pour on to the paper without being conscious of their rank. When you finish your list, prepare to be overwhelmed by the results. After review, decide what things need to be done first.
There may be an urgency to cross off all of the to-dos, but it will not happen. It is imperative to realize that not all of your goals can be met or even started on in the first week. Patience and sensibility are virtues when completing tasks. There will be distractions that occur in daily life, which will stonewall you. Good sensibility and intentions toward achieving goals will help keep you moving forward.
Most college students are unable to say "No," particularly during the first week. Elizabeth Scott, M.D., a stress management and living strategies coach has three tips on how to say the challenging word, "No."
1. Be firm - not defensive or overly apologetic - and polite. This gives the signal that you are sympathetic, but will not easily change your mind if pressured.
In a 2003 study of 13,000 college students by researchers at Kansas State University, the percentage of students with stress and anxiety problems nationwide rose from 36 percent to 62 percent over 13 years.
To avoid being a statistic, staying organized is the first step in avoiding stress. No, not in the way your mom wants you to be organized (picking clothes up off the floor or keeping your pencils in your top desk drawer). It is about organizing the thoughts that are scrambling through your head.
Find a quiet place to think and ask yourself, "What do I need to do first?" If to-do lists have helped your struggles with stress in the past, then pull out a pad and pencil. Just let the priorities pour on to the paper without being conscious of their rank. When you finish your list, prepare to be overwhelmed by the results. After review, decide what things need to be done first.
There may be an urgency to cross off all of the to-dos, but it will not happen. It is imperative to realize that not all of your goals can be met or even started on in the first week. Patience and sensibility are virtues when completing tasks. There will be distractions that occur in daily life, which will stonewall you. Good sensibility and intentions toward achieving goals will help keep you moving forward.
Most college students are unable to say "No," particularly during the first week. Elizabeth Scott, M.D., a stress management and living strategies coach has three tips on how to say the challenging word, "No."
1. Be firm - not defensive or overly apologetic - and polite. This gives the signal that you are sympathetic, but will not easily change your mind if pressured.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Elizabeth Stanfill
posted 9/02/08 @ 4:09 PM EST
Making a list is the greatest idea because when there is so much to do we can get overwhelmed and neglect the priorities.
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