By THE COUNSELING CENTER
As fall shifts into winter assignments seem to be piling on one after the other and it is quite hard to not feel overwhelmed by it all. The stress of being a hard-working college student specifically during this time of the semester tends to take a large toll on student’s well-being. 90% of individuals ages 18-23 report that education is the largest source of stress in their lives. Stress exists to help push us to accomplish the tastes we have at hand; however, it is important that we have opportunities to rest and restore after being under great stress. The high demand and pressure of being a student doesn’t always provide an opportunity for students to get this rest and restorative time.
A recent article in U.S. News & World Report suggests four tips for managing the stress of being a college student including noticing the symptoms of heightened stress, building and maintaining social connections, maintain healthy sleep, eating, and exercise schedules, and finally seek out help! Symptoms that may be warning signs for high levels of stress include lower motivation, lower energy levels, and less enjoyment of day-to-day activities. Social connections are a crucial element of fighting high stress levels existing for college students. Opportunities to share feelings of stress and also feel connected to others can be a great way for individuals combat the effects of the stress they are experiencing. Third, is the importance of sleep, eating, and exercise. It is important as college students that we are meeting our daily basic needs such as sleep, water, and food. Ensuring that we are meeting our basic needs are being met will help supply our body with the strength necessary to combat stress more successfully. Lastly, if you are feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to manage the levels of stress you are experiencing it is so important to reach out for help! This is where the Counseling Center comes in! We are here to help you manage stress and also connect you with other supports that can help you reach your basic needs as well as academic related support!
The Counseling Center is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9am-5pm and Tuesday and Thursday 9am-7pm! We are located on the third floor of Saint Joseph Hall at 985 Madison Avenue! You can call the center at (518) 454-5200 to make an appointment! We are all in this together and the Counseling Center is here to help!
For more information check out U.S. News’ article titled “Stress in College Students: What to Know.”
