Are the thoughts of entering college causing you stress?

TOP STRESSORS FOR INCOMING FRESHMAN

· Deciding on a major

· Not knowing anyone

· Sharing a dorm room with a stranger

· Making good grades

· Course load

· Social groups/pressures

· Parental/guardian pressures

· Balancing work and school

· Financial pressures

· Relationships

· Shyness

· Lack of knowledge of support systems

 

TOP STRESSORS FOR NEW FRESHMAN

· Parents/guardians are not around to be the buffer

· Laundry

· Identity-who am I, who will I be

· Someone to go to activities/eat with

· Freshman +/-15

· Parents/guardians do not understand worries

· Public restrooms/showers

· Not knowing where to go or how to get there and too afraid to ask

 

WAYS TO MANAGE STRESS

· Discover new places, explore new interests, and mingle and jingle.  These experiences contribute to college life, but remember your education is why you’re here.

· Before committing to any one group or trend, take time to get to know other students, investigating different activities, and decide what makes you feel most comfortable. Affiliations change a great deal over the course of the first year as you become more knowledgeable and confident.

· Prioritize and participate. No one can do everything!  When you narrow your focus you will feel less overwhelmed. Finding passions, hobbies and jobs are some of the most exciting aspects of the college experience.

· Be patient. It takes time to understand the rhythm of a new life and for anyone to develop a personal learning/studying style. Over the first year it becomes easier to understand the flow of work and realize how to accommodate different teacher styles, standards, and course requirements.

· Evaluate the fit. Assessing how your expectations meet reality during the first year is essential. Some disappointment or surprises are something we all experience and may require some alteration, for example: changing majors, adjusting one's course load, rethinking involvement in activities.

· Never ignore a problem. Both academic and emotional challenges are most successfully managed early when they are small.

 

 

Here are some helpful tips in reducing stress that drive us all crazy!!!