How to Manage the Stress of College Life

Making the transition from high school to college can be difficult and at times overwhelming and stressful. But it doesn't have to be discouraging, and there are ways to better manage the stress of college life.

In college you may not have the same sort of day-to-day support system as you did in high school, and it is easy to become stressed and overwhelmed with managing your schoolwork and adapting to living away from home. Learning to manage your money, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and getting enough sleep so that your body doesn't get sick or run down and eliminating factors like stress, late nights and pushing yourself, can all help you to overcome stress. One way to do this is to learn to make smart decisions. Don't always do what seems easiest at the time. For example, learn to budget your money and use credit wisely, and when it comes to your health, get enough sleep, eat well, and pay attention to what your body tells you. You will need energy to enjoy all that college has to offer.

New social opportunities and pressures can also be a source of stress for college students. While forming new friendships and getting involved in different groups and student associations can be exciting, it is also important not to spread yourself too thin, or to take on more than you can handle. Also, if you are hesitant or unsure about participating in certain social scenes or activities, don't hesitate to seek guidance about the best ways to resist these pressures.

College is full of resources - professors, tutors, counselors, and resident advisors. In college it is up to you to initiate getting help. If you are feeling stressed out, seek help and look for ways to eliminate the things causing you to feel overwhelmed. The good news is that once you adjust to the demands of college life, it opens new doors to all sorts of learning and living.

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