We all want to make the most of our college experience, and we might think we have to get as involved as possible. Although we can be successful doing this, it’s good to realize when we need a break.
In “I Don’t Know How She Does It,” Sarah Jessica Parker plays Kate Reddy, a woman who does it all. She’s the prime example of an overachiever. Kate has young kids and a husband. She also works hard at her job with a
financial management firm. The only problem comes when she hits her breaking point and must fix the mess that she’s made of her life.
Every collegiette™ has her breaking point, but none of us want to reach it! Her Campus Mizzou has some great ways to stop stress before it overwhelms you.
Don’t take on too much.
We all want to do everything and do it all perfectly, but that’s not always possible. It’s better to focus on a few things and be proud of what you do accomplish than to feel like you always have to do more. It’s okay to not take every opportunity. Just find the few things that are the most fun or will be the most beneficial and do your best on those.
Avoid negative situations and people.
People can be stressors in themselves. Avoid anyone who is discouraging or who brings you down. It’s more difficult to accomplish something when you are being told you can’t. Look at a situation before you put yourself in it. Make sure it won’t have any side effects that will add to your stress. Instead of going out to party the night before a test, study. If you do, your good grades will be a confidence boost and another way to stay positive.
Don’t bottle up emotions.
Feeling down or overwhelmed? Talk to those closest to you. Senior Katie Miller does exactly that. “I mainly cope with stress by talking to friends or family,” Katie says. That’s what they’re there for. If you don’t allow time for yourself, you’ll end up feeling exhausted. Take a few extra minutes to relax rather than a lot of time to deal with a breakdown in the future.
Don’t procrastinate.
Maybe you are someone who is busy all the time. As long as you stay on top of your to-do list, you should be fine. But the longer you wait to do things, the more you have to do (and the less time you have to accomplish it!) Don’t put something off until the last minute.
Sleep!
Sleeping is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Without enough zzz’s, you won’t perform or learn well. The less sleep you get, the easier it is to get irritated. Go to bed an hour earlier, so you have more energy to be successful the next day.
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Sometimes stress just seems inevitable. When that’s the case, try one of these methods to help you de-stress.
Figure out what’s making you feel stressed.
Take some time to write down or think about what is overwhelming you. If you notice you are stressing out about a deadline that is coming up, address the issue. Make a pact with yourself to do it earlier next time and to simply do your best this time. Senior Megan Stroup says it best: “I’ve always told myself (and my friends) that energy wasted on stress could better be used to address the situation that’s causing you stress in the first place.”
Take some time off.
It’s okay to take a few hours (or even a day!) to just focus on yourself. When you feel like you have become too consumed in your to-do list, take some time to nap or just hang out. Relax with music or yoga. It will do wonders for your emotions and your focus.
Talk about it.
Make it easier on yourself and don’t deal with stress alone. Talking to a friend can give a different perspective. Venting is a great way to express what you’re feeling, too. Sometimes after you talk about what is bothering you, it doesn’t seem so threatening anymore.
Exercise
Stress can make you anxious or angry, and when you feel like that, it’s hard to relax. Go for a run or play tennis to relieve your negative energy. It’s healthy, and once you do you might be able to refocus on what needs to get done.
Look on the bright side.
Reflect on your life and think about all the good things in it. Think about the people who make you happy and the activities you enjoy. Remember that there is a reason behind your involvement. Think about what you get out of what you are doing, like the good grades you get from studying hard. In other words, stop to smell the flowers! “Sometimes I wish I had more time to go out with my friends, but I love all the organizations I’m involved in,” Megan says. “I know I’m helping others through my leadership positions. At the end of college, I’d rather remember the achievements I had.”
There are those of us who strive for the best and know stress comes with it. For Katie, that’s not exactly a bad thing. “I’m as active as I am because I want to get the most out of my college experience,” Katie says. “I love people, and I’m always around them in whatever I’m doing.”
It’s great to try your best at what you’re doing, but what you’re doing doesn’t have to be everything. Find what works for you, and go for it!