As college students, we all deal with stress: midterm exams, 8-page papers, buying food for the week, and maybe even paying rent each month. Stress becomes a part of our everyday lives, but there are ways to lessen the stress on our shoulders.
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Self care is always important. Treat yo’ self. Sometimes we are so busy worrying about everything and everyone else that we forget to take care of the most important thing of all–ourselves. Take a warm bubble bath, read a book, go buy a cup of Starbucks. You deserve it.
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It’s OK to ask for help. For some people, it’s hard to ask for help. We don’t want to seem like a nuisance, or we don’t think it will be worth it. (Trust me, I know how that feels.) Even though it’s hard, sometimes the best solution is to ask for help. Try talking to a counselor, or seeing a therapist, if need be. Reach out to someone on campus. There’s always someone there willing to help. A little help can go a long way.
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Let it all out. Venting is good. Venting is very good. It’s completely OK to meet up with a friend, or family member and just vent to them. Talking about our problems and stress is a very healthy way to help kick some stress to the curb.
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Take a day off. Sleep in. Skip that one class. It’s OK to take a day off to recharge. We all need a little free time! It’s hard to come by in the busy life of a college student, but it’s much needed. Don’t feel bad if you need to take a day off to practice some self care.
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It’s OK to have a bad day. Everyone on this campus has bad days. It’s OK for us to have them too. If we accept that it is OK to have a bad day, and that everyone goes through it, it will make it easier for us to deal with. Don’t worry too much because you got a bad grade on one paper. It happens to every student, and it’s normal. Don’t stress out about what is done. It can only get better from there!
Stress happens to everyone–your friends, your teachers, your co-workers, everyone you know. However you decide to deal with it, do what’s best for you. You’re a beautiful soul and you got this!