Stress And Stuff They Don't Tell You About College
What causes college stress?
College stress is a result of let's say, having to read a 1,000 pages of textbooks a week, being surrounded by people you don't know, being away from family and friends, and of course the financial burden that's hanging over your head whilst being away from the people you love the most. All of these elements combined create stress, and there are different ways to deal with it. I think the most important thing is to realize that you might get stressed. So when you're stressed you might say, "Hey stress. Right on! I knew this would happen." Then it's working to make sure that you have ways to relieve the stress and building balance into your daily routine. Try turning to upper class men who have been there and experienced it, who can put things in perspective for you.
What are the different types of stress I might face in college?
You've got your academic stress, financial stress, social stress, and your physical stress. I mean nobody feels pretty enough or attractive enough. You also have the stress of being in a totally new environment, and also all of these things that are really not normal. But with each of these different areas of stress, what I'd say is, find people you can turn to for help and guidance. With financial stress, your adviser is a great person. For emotional stress, someone on the counseling center or a great friend or family. For your academic stress go to a teaching assistance, a professor. So for each of these things, when you feel it boiling over instead of freaking out or doing something that may be dangerous, all you want to do is turn to these people to relieve your stress.
What can I do to reduce my stress levels in college?
If you're someone who is having some anxiety or stress about the college experience, especially who's, let's say, going to be going to campus in the fall, take a trip over the summer and actually walk around the campus. Introduce yourself to one of the counsellors who can help you so that when you get to school it's not stressful meeting someone new and talking about the things that are on your mind. You already have a contact then. It can also be people in the residence hall system. It can also be an upperclassman who you can turn to. Those are great people when it comes to activities and exercise. It's a great thing to do. There are so many classes at the center and activities and things that you can do that are free most of the time. Talking it out, working it out - those are the two greatest things you can possibly do to relieve that stress.
What is the 'freshman fifteen'?
The freshman fifteen actually--we're talking about weight here--fifteen pounds. I gained my freshman fifteen and I lost my freshman fifteen. But I didn't really lose it, because I still keep it with me. It's in a little container that I put in my refrigerator as a reminder, which is really great to always have when I open up the fridge late at night. The freshman fifteen - we're talking about weight - and, if you haven't grown up in a house with an all-you-can-eat buffet and a deep-fryer, and tons of carbohydrates, then you really might be susceptible to gaining some weight. Also, late-night beverage consumption. Also, late-night food consumption--pizza, wings--those things can add up very quickly. So the freshman fifteen's really referring to weight. But, if you want to avoid the freshman fifteen, to counteract that it's really important to exercise. And that can be one of those organizations or activities: go to the recreation center, look at the wall, see if there's any activities, clubs, classes, things that you can get involved with, intramurals, club sports, and use that as a way to counteract the freshman fifteen so you can still eat and have a good time and then even meet people along the way while working off your fifteen.
What is the best part about college?
I think one of the most amazing things about college that not a lot of people talk about is that there are so many people there who want students to achieve. There are people who are so passionate and have spent their entire lives to create these amazing communities, and to be a part of that and to live there and to have that be your world is incredible. Throughout these different tips and answers I've referred to some of these people and I haven't been able to refer to all of them because there are that many people who support students. So if you're somebody who finds that there's someone else who's there, who's a great resource, let me know and I would love to share that resource on thenakedroomate.com and helpmeharlan.com and while speaking across the country, maybe even turn it into a song. So, that is the best thing; all of the people who are there who want you to be your best.
