Stress and College Students Finding Ways for Coping

College is an exciting time of new experiences and opportunities. However, stress and college students go hand-in-hand. Learning to manage stress is key for success.

For traditional college students, a common stressor is adapting to differences in high school and college courses. Many traditional students are also living away from home for the first time. However, it isn’t just traditional students who are susceptible to stress. Returning adult learners also realize quickly that stress and college students must co-exist. Returning students must balance the responsibilities of school, work, and family, a very stressful endeavor.

The key to managing stress is to turn it from a negative emotion into a motivating factor. Stress and college students do not have to be enemies. In fact, by using stress as a motivator to stay on top of academic and other responsibilities, a college student can make it a useful friend.

Below are some stategies college students can use to cope with stress and make it a motivator rather than a debilitating problem.

1. Practice healthy habits. Getting plenty of sleep, eating well, and exercising regularly helps your body react to stressors in a productive way.

2. Plan ahead. At the beginning of each semester, review your course syllabi and plot out due dates for all papers, projects, quizzes, mid-terms and exams on a calendar. Plan around your busiest academic times to avoid additional stress.

3. Keep a journal. Writing out your thoughts and feelings relieves stress and helps gain perspective.

4. Talk about concerns. Your advisor, other students, family and friends can be great sounding boards.