6 Helpful Tips For When College Is Overwhelming

6 Helpful Tips For When College Is Overwhelming

Mental health and physical health are so important, and I think that we forget that sometimes.
Lilly Kate Diaz
Lilly Kate Diaz Nov 22, 2017
54
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College is stressful. We all know this. We have family members who have gone through college stress, friends, and so many others. And while we are able to sometimes do things like develop time management skills, anti-procrastination skills, etc. There are so many other methods to beat college stress.

1. Exercise regularly (or just when you can).

I personally think that exercising helps me sometimes. And sometimes, I go running for 2 miles and I still feel anxious after running. So, if this works for you then continue exercising!

Making it daily might be beneficial or just having a specific time where you exercise can help with time management skills. This also helps you with setting time for yourself!

2. Eat Healthy.

Unfortunately, college takes up so much time that students are constantly eating on the go, with the rare home-cooked meals.

But maybe, instead of taking that chocolate bar/energy drink to class, prep early! Make yourself a sandwich the night before, or a nice fruit snack! This takes away some stress that students feel when worrying about eating. Also, if you're worrying about eating, in general, check out places on your campus that give away food (i.e. club events!).

3. Sleep (and nap!)

You may think that studying and doing a project the entire night might help (and maybe it will), but in the end you are hurting your body! Most students don't receive the full amount of sleep/rest that they need.

Lack of sleep affects your concentration, so make sure you try your best to sleep as much as you can, and take naps, if needed.

4. Keep a journal.

Whether you enjoy doodling or writing, journals are a great way to express any emotions that you may be feeling while experiencing college stress. This can also go for musical compositions, artworks, etc.

5. Take a break.

Sometimes, just taking a moment to breathe and recollect yourself is necessary.

Taking a break will provide better results with concentration in class and work ethic. Pushing yourself without taking a break might just do the opposite.

So try your best to find a few minutes each day to take a walk, maybe listen to some music, meditate, breathe, or just sit quietly.

6. Ask for help.

Remember that you are human, and that sometimes it's okay to not be okay. We are not invincible. We have limits. If you need to vent, talk to family or friends! And don't be afraid to seek professional help when you get overwhelmed (whether you're in college or not).

I hope that these tips will help you in your endeavors while in college. Remember to take care of yourself before anything else. Mental health and physical health are so important, and I think that we forget that sometimes. Remember that you are not alone, that you have people you can lean on when times get tough.

You will get through it! You will make it! I believe in you.

Cover Image Credit: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/high-school-didnt-prepare-enough-college
Lilly Kate Diaz
Lilly Kate Diaz Nov 22, 2017
At University of Southern California

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65 Truths College Students Need to Hear Right Now

Truth every college student needs to hear.
Grace Valentine
Grace Valentine Dec 9, 2016
25565
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1. The best memories are ones you actually can remember.

2. God isn’t going to ask you if you were in a top-tier sorority or fraternity at the gates.

3. You failed a test, not your life.

4. Numbers don’t define you.

5. That includes the number you see that is your grade.

6. Also, how much you weigh.

7. As well as if you are a “7/10” on a so-called “hot scale.”

8. Or if you can bench press 200 lbs. (@ all the guys at the gym, please chill.)

SEE ALSO: 7 Reminders Every College Student Needs To Hear Before The Semester Ends

9. Innocence is nothing to be ashamed of.

10. Neither are mistakes.

11. But learn from your mistakes. Mistakes can be lessons, which can be the biggest blessing.

12. Your metabolism isn’t what it used to be and that is okay.

13. You may not always understand what God is doing, but I promise He has a plan.

14. Every person you meet is battling their own struggles.

15. Life isn’t always great moments.

16. But you have to walk through the forest to get to the mountain top.

17. Your heart isn’t damaged. It is temporarily broken but it will be fixed.

18. However, the only one who can fix a broken heart is the one who created it.

19. So a cute boy or hot girl can’t put the pieces back together.

20. Neither can ice cream.

21. But ice cream can totally help.

22. Stop texting your ex. He/She is your ex for a reason.

23. Loving Jesus means loving people.

24. Loving Jesus also means loving the image of Him in the mirror you see.

25. Stop hiding your emotions. Stop crying in the bathroom or behind a locked door. You have people in your life who care about you.

26. Suicide is never the answer.

27. Breathe in, breathe out.

28. Do you feel your heart pump? Do you feel the air exiting your body? That is a sign you are here for a purpose. Your life is no mistake.

29. Just because you doubt, doesn’t mean you don’t believe in Jesus.

30. However, when walking on the water scares you, look to Jesus and keep your eyes on Him.

31. If you have the opportunity to go to school go. There are young girls around the world who would do anything to sit at the desk you are complaining about.

32. Don’t pick a career based on money.

33. However, I promise you can use any passion or gift to serve a purpose bigger than yourself if you allow yourself to give it to the One who gave it to you.

34. You don’t need pretty prayers to please God.

35. Talk to Him like you are talking to a friend.

36. Look for the good in everyone.

37. That includes the mean girl who no one likes. Chances are she is mean for a reason. Someone was once mean to her. Kill her with kindness.

38. Pray to have the Lord’s eyes. See people with love.

39. Try to have the Lord’s hands, always be reaching out to others.

40. Each morning, pray to have the Lord’s feet and go where He calls you.

41. It is a bad day, not a bad life.

SEE ALSO: What It's Like To Be A College Student In April

42. You don’t need a six-pack to find a man who loves you.

43. You need a spouse who will be able to look at you when you are 80, and wrinkly and maybe a little chunky, and you need him to love you then. If he loves you for your body and your hair, I promise he doesn’t actually love you. Looks fade, but love is eternal. Find someone who loves you like Jesus.

44. Do some squats.

45. But squat so you feel good about yourself, not to attract the opposite sex.

46. You are never too old to find a new hobby.

47. You were beautiful before someone told you.

48. If you don’t know if you are in relationship or not, leave. You deserve clarity, not insecurity.

49. You deserve friendships that are mutual.

50. The best Friday nights are spent with a puppy and food. It is okay to not always be social.

51. Stop worrying about whether your crush will text you back.

52. Stop over analyzing everything in general.

53. Pray for your future spouse.

54. However, also pray for your future bridesmaids/groomsmen. Some of the most influential people you may have in your life you may not have even met yet.

55. Storms bring strength.

56. And storms bring rainbows if you are patient and observant.

57. Stop Pinteresting your dream life and start living it.

58. The Bible is actually extremely relatable. Open it up. Read it.

59. Romans 8:28 “and we know God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” God is on your team. He wants you to have moments of celebration. He has a purpose for you greater than your bad day.

60. Never forget what Jesus did for you on that cross. When he died for you, it was painful and brutal. It was ugly. It was love. Don’t let that truth ever become numb to you no matter how many times you have heard the story.

61. There is nothing wrong with carbs.

62. Study. And don’t wait for the night before.

63. Find someone who you can look up to.

64. Also, never forget that there is always someone looking up to you. Act like someone you would want your future children to be. Act in a way that reflects wisdom.

65. Smile more, you are loved by the one who hung the stars and painted the sea. He created puppies and carbs–yet still loves you more. That is something to celebrate.

College is tough and life is hard. You are going to have moments where all you want to do is celebrate life with your best friends, but you will also have moments where you just want to lock the door, ignore everyone, and have a good cry. Never forget that your worth comes from something greater than your Biology grade, and from Someone greater that the one who broke your heart.

You aren’t too cool for Christ in college. Christ is a necessity for you in your life. He can hold your hand during your heartbreaks and failures and celebrate with you when you get the text back or a passing grade in foreign language. He loves for you and cares for you more than your sorority or fraternity ever will.

So buy your books, do your homework, but never forget when you are walking to you 8:00 a.m. you regretfully signed up for, to look up. Look at the clouds and the sky and thank your creator that in a big big world with many beautiful things, He still loves our messy hearts even more. So this one is for the boys for the King. This life is for the One who laid down His life.

I promise college is more fun when you dance with your Savior. Follow His lead and let him take you on a journey where you can find your purpose. You may not know where you are going, but you do know who you are following.

So never forget that although classes may be hard, and your metabolism may be slowing down–God is still good. He turns our ashes into beauty and our trials into our testimony. Do life with your creator and I promise you that you will have more than you need.

Romans 8:28 “And we know God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

Check out my website for more articles on self-worth <3

Twitter: gracev96

Instagram: lemmebeyourvalentine

Grace Valentine
Grace Valentine Dec 9, 2016
At Baylor University

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Lessons Learned From A Stressful Quarter

Giving into stress will make it seem like it never ends.

Hope Orr
Hope Orr Nov 16, 2018
128
views

We all have rough periods, this was mine. One of mine.

Ya know how when you're hungry, your eyes are bigger than your stomach? Well, apparently that can also go with your schedule. I was so into getting involved that I didn't realize that there is such thing as being too involved.

I don't regret the decision I made. I'm so incredibly happy to be in the organizations I'm in and I hold the positions I do. I just didn't realize how little free time it leaves you when you hold a position in two campus organizations, have a job on top of a full class load. I would go almost weeks without a full day off, I don't think I've ever felt so worn out ever. I did the math and figured out I was basically working 60 hours a week with everything on my plate.

It was hard, it sucked. But I learned something from it, and it's going to do me good.

I learned how to manage my time better, and planned a schedule around it. Having specific days for classes so I don't have them every day, giving set hours for work that can work perfectly around other obligations and that will leave time for me.

Having such little time filled me with anxiety, so in the minutes I had I had to figure out ways to calm me down.

Call me cliche, please don't call me woke though.

I found a lot of solace in getting a little more in touch with my spiritual side. I don't mean religion, I mean more hippie stuff. Recently I've gotten very into tarot, meditation, and yoga.

I've always liked to learn new things so studying tarot was a nice break from school work that wasn't just watching Netflix. I got into meditation because I did some research that it was the easiest way to relieve some anxiety. Doing that 5 minutes to start my day has really worked wonders for me.

So while I really struggled with school, mental health and life, in general, this quarter, I learned a lot of new things I enjoy and how I can help myself a little more.

Hearing from your dad "one day at a time" may be cliche but it really is good advice. Taking things one day at a time helps to relax you. I think it's really important to try and think as positively as you can in times of stress.

Giving into stress will make it seem like there will never be an end to it.

Hope Orr
Hope Orr Nov 16, 2018
At DePaul University

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