7 WAYS TO BEAT COLLEGE STRESS – PART 2

By Erika Rae - Grockit

Beating the SAT was (almost) easy when you took full advantage of test prep, practice tests, and free SAT questions.    You wrote terrific application essays, and did so well in your college admissions interviews, you had your pick of schools.  But there are more tests ahead of you as an undergrad – not just French exams and history quizzes, but also physical, mental, and emotional stuff that will challenge you in ways you probably haven't experienced yet.

In Part 1 of this article, we learned to keep busy with campus events to avoid homesickness; be in touch with family and old friends to feel connected and grounded; follow a schedule to stay on track; and get away to a quiet spot to be alone and re-energize.  Here are three more ways to beat stress:

5.  Breathe In...Breathe Out...Breathe In...

Meditation can be as simple as closing your eyes and focusing on your breath for ten minutes.  You don't need a special outfit and incense and a CD of seagulls – just sit in a quiet place, in a comfortable chair, and think of nothing but your breath going in and out.  You can seriously improve your mood, concentration, and level of stress by thinking: “I'm breathing out the nasty stress...I'm breathing in peace of mind...”.  Start a meditation circle in your dorm.

6.  Dive In, Work Out, Steam Up

Take advantage of your campus sports center – you'll miss it after you graduate!  Working out can be a very effective way to de-stress and re-energize.  Swim a few laps and sit in the jacuzzi.  Walk the track to warm up and then build muscle in the weight room.  Take a yoga or Zumba class.  Or go straight to the sauna and steam away the stress.

7.  Campus & Online Resources Offer Options

Some students will need more options than meditating and swimming laps.  If you experience panic attacks, depression, and other serious issues, then don't hesitate to visit your campus health center.  It's confidential, and the clinic folks can help you decide how to manage these challenges.  There are also online resources, like ULifeline, which has a self-evaluation, facts about anxiety and other disorders, and info about resources on campuses across the country.