So you beat the SAT, after taking advantage of Grockit test prep, practice tests, and free SAT questions. You wrote a terrific college application essay and did so well in your admissions interview, that you were accepted to your dream school. Now, there are more tests ahead of you as an undergrad – not just chemistry quizzes and history exams, but also physical, mental, and emotional stuff that will challenge you in ways you probably haven't experienced yet. Here are some ways to beat stress in college:
1. Get Busy & Be Patient, Too
To keep your mind off missing home, keep yourself busy with orientation parties, campus events, and dorm mixers. The beginning of the year is a great time to check out lots of clubs and meet lots of people – but it's also a stressful time if you're constantly “on.” Don't try to jump in and join everything – and don't worry about finding your place and your people immediately – or you'll totally drain your batteries. Relax. Be patient. You will feel at home, eventually.
2. Call Your Mom & Email Your BFF
While you're having a terrific time exploring the campus, checking out organizations, and making new friends, you're probably also going to have some lonely days and boring nights. When you have a rough day, it really helps to contact your parents or best friend. Your family and oldest friends know you best, and they might be the best people to get you feeling connected and grounded again. Remember you'll probably see them soon – and even if you don't head home for the holidays, you can keep in touch with calls, emails, letters, and care packages (which you can hint about when you call).
3. When Work Piles Up, Stay on Top
First: Check out the locations of your classes and how long it takes to get to each one, so you don't show up late, breathless, and stressed. Second: Every prof seems to think that his or her class is your only one, and the work will be piled on accordingly – but the workload should balance out, and even if it doesn't, your ability to handle it will improve. Third: Create a schedule of all your classes, study time, and free time and post it in your room. Stay on top of it, and you won't get overwhelmed by it.
4. Escape Pod
Find yourself a secret spot somewhere – preferably off-campus – where you can escape everything college-related. A bike trail that leads to a huge oak by the river. A bench at the baseball diamond in the city park. A corner table at a greasy diner. Go there as often as you can – even for just twenty minutes each day or every week – to get quiet and be alone. Just closing your eyes and breathing deeply for a few minutes can be a very effective form of meditating and reducing stress.
