Stress is the body’s response to physical and psychological change. Stress can occur
regardless of whether the change is good or bad. Many events during college put students
at risk for increased stress. Stress can be present as eustress (good) or distress
(bad). Learning how to effectively manage stress in a healthy way now, can help you
recognize and respond to stress before it becomes overwhelming for you.
Routine stress as pressure from responsibility
Sudden negative change
Traumatic stress as the result of death, injury, accident, etc.
Increase or decrease in sleep
Increase or decrease in appetite
Increased use of alcohol
Increased fatigue
Inability to concentrate
Mood swings
Changes in exercise habits
Frequent head, back, or muscle ache
Indigestion, diarrhea
Frequent accidents and injuries
Hostile or angry feeling
Restlessness and anxiety
Change in moods
Take a break to relax and refresh
Think positive
Make a to-do list and prioritize
Learn to say "no"
Ask for help
Practice relaxation techniques meditate
Manage your time
Don’t procrastinate
Exercise
Get plenty of rest
Eat a healthy diet
Set realistic expectations
Identify your stressors and try to avoid them
Balance school and other responsibilities
Do something you enjoy
Counseling may be helpful in times of extreme stress.
Prolonged stress can lead to many health problems including decreased immunity which
increases the risk of infections, mental health problems such as depression and anxiety,
and heart and digestive problems.
Good time management skills are important for balancing your academic work load and
activities or responsibilities outside of class. Time management is the process of
organizing and planning how to divide your time between specific activities. Planning
ahead and having a good to-do list in place can help you: