Stress in College: How Much is Too Much?

Whether you attend a four-year university, a two-year local college, or a technical school, chances are that during the tedious and never-ending semesters, one word is always on the tip of your tongue: stress. According to Healthline, stress can only be defined as “an unavoidable part of life that has helped humans survive for thousands of years and keeps us on our toes in dangerous or critical situations.”

Alright, now let’s get real. Put simply, in the life of a college student, stress is trying to make time for your significant other, while writing your paper for History 101, while Facebook chatting with your friends from back home, and while simultaneously trying not to think about the other paper you have due later the next day. Even though this sounds very dramatic and seemingly like the result of procrastination and bad choices, it is an unavoidable reality for college students around the world.

Going into my third year at a major university, I am all too familiar with the stresses that plague a college student. College can be stressful for a number of reasons. As explained by ULifeline, these include:

-Greater academic demands.
-Being on your own in new environments.
-Changes in family relations.
-Financial responsibilities.
-Changes in your social life.
-Exposure to new people, ideas, and temptations.
-Discomfort with your sexual identity. (More common than you may think).
-Preparing for life after graduation (Especially troubling in the junior and senior years).

More often than not, the stressors arrive at different times and in many different forms. Stress can be dealt with in many ways, from taking a run, to taking deep breaths, to simply socializing with friends; however, in the real world, it is not so simple. College students, including myself, have a tendency to let stress build and build under the mountain of projects and tasks that need to be completed. Here are some symptoms of when it is time to start dealing with your stress:

-Changes in sleep and eating patterns.
-Increased frequency of headaches.
-Increased levels of frustration and anger. (Often taken out on scapegoats).
-Irritability.
-Recurring colds and minor illnesses.
-Being more disorganized than usual.
-Increased difficulty getting things done, or extreme procrastination.

Last fall, I felt buried underneath projects, homework, reading, and everything in between. On top of that, I felt pressure coming from extracurricular activities, friends, and a significant other. Caught up in the rush, I did not take the time to address the stress in a healthy manner. Instead, I let it build up to the point where I had a massive meltdown and felt it necessary to escape 2,000 miles away in Maine for the fall holidays.

This is the type of situation that can be avoided if precautions are taken. If you exhibit symptoms of heavy stress, take advantage of helpful resources, such as the student counseling center, your resident assistants, and campus spiritual leaders.

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