<p>I recently completed my first semester at Auburn University. I made some friends, joined a club, became a student ambassador and just really tried to get involved. I went to the number one public high school in Georgia, so I felt really prepared to succeed at Auburn... And I did. I ended my first semester with a 4.0 despite my lackluster 3.2 in high school. The work wasn't harder than high school... In fact, some was easier. That wasn't stressing me out at all! It's just that in college, there are so few grades and everything is weighted so heavily. In high school, I could relax even if I got a bad grade knowing that I could work harder next time to bring it up. In college, that isn't the case. A bad assignment could mean the difference between an A and a B in college and that was really freaking me out. I know the best way to avoid stress is to be prepared, so I studied a lot, went to all my classes, and took really good notes. But my stress levels reached an unhealthy peak. I started getting anxious more often, cried over assignments, and started getting sick more easily. I would almost constantly have canker cores (caused by stress) and stomach problems. These only got worse around midterms and exam time. I'm sure some of it was stress over home sickness and I visited home a lot. but I got a 4.0, so something I was doing must have been working. I would just like to achieve the same success with a healthier stress level.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any suggestions? What stress relief techniques do you practice when you feel overwhelmed?</p>
<p>My roommate and I would take breaks from studying/assignments by just watching shows and movies. Get together with some friends and just hang out for a little while. It distracts you from school work and classes, and it will strengthen friendships. As long as you find a good balance between hanging out and studying then there’s no reason you can’t do both.</p>
<p>You can also try spending some time with hobbies. I like to study foreign languages, and I find myself doing that when I feel I just can’t study anymore for that day. You could write poetry or prose, exercise, draw, make crafts. All of that can help you relax you and give you something else to think about.</p>
<p>Work out, eat healthy, do things with friends regularly, go out on weekends (but don’t drink too much), listen to good music, try to get enough sleep, remember that whatever it is that’s stressing you out, it’s not the end of the world. Try to keep things in perspective. Work hard and take fulfilling breaks. Reward yourself, but not with junk food.</p>
<p>I agree that hobbies are always good, if you have the time. Make sure it’s something unrelated to your schoolwork/major, and that it’s something pretty easy that you don’t take too seriously. For instance, if you take up painting, just have fun with it and don’t try to be the next Van Gogh, cause that takes the “stress-relieving hobby” aspect out of it entirely.</p>
<p>If you ever feel paralyzed from stress/anxiety, sometimes you just need to tell yourself “get up and go do something NOW. It doesn’t have to be the most productive or the best work you’ve ever done. Just get up and do it right now.” If you ever really just can’t get anything done, that’s when you need to sleep, work out, or talk to someone.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! Those are some great suggestions. I actually may take up swimming next semester. Not as an intramural sport or anything, just as sort of a couple times a week type thing. I figure it’s fairly soundless, repetitive, etc and it might make for a fairly relaxing time. Plus, hey it’s good for you, so I figured I’d give it a shot. But Is there anything I can do more on an as needed basis type thing? Like, if I’m stressed, what should I do at that particular moment?</p>
<p>I stress a lot about grades, admissions process (still in hs), EC’s, etc. and recently have found that breathing really makes me feel better. I just breathe in as much as my lungs can hold and then breathe out until I can’t anymore. I think the stress shows how important some things are and can help me not get complacent, so a little bit is healthy, but it sounds like you have a bit too much stress going on. I just do the breathing at night or when I’m by myself because it can be kind of loud, but I think it helps. </p>
<p>I also just tell myself that life isn’t the destination but the journey, but this may vary for you if you are religious. If not, good. It helps to realize that the present is the only time that actually exists and to indulge every now and then.</p>
<p>Tip1. Realize that ignorant people without college are making millions of dollars per year; then all that stress of grades, exams, finals will seem so trivial and quickly disappear.</p>
<p>Exercising is such a great way to deal with stress in college. I always find time in the week to run/jog at least three times a week (60-90 minute each). Great times to escape, recap, and reflect on schoolwork and leisure plans.</p>