As my alarm went of at 9 am. Monday morning, I questioned if going to class was really worth it. Getting out of bed seemed like the biggest challenge after having spent the past ten days without a single alarm or ounce of stress. There is nothing easy about returning to three weeks filled with cramming, exams, due dates, and countless anxiety attacks.
Stress is my middle name, and I'm sure many college students (especially freshman) can relate. Everything just felt like it was piling down on us, and Temple University rewarding us with a full week off from classes and responsibilities was an early Christmas gift, to say the least.
As a first-year student, getting back into the swing of things is already quite the struggle. But I have managed to (kind of) come up with some ways to ward off the anxiety of being bombarded with schoolwork.
1. Hit the gym.
To some people, this seems to be more of a stress factor than reliever. There are many people who view the gym as a "job," but I promise you going will leave zero regrets. Not only is it a great way to stay in shape during the season-of-weight-gaining, but also to clear your head. Chemicals, called endorphins, are released during exercise which have proven to increase positivity, as reported by WebMD. And us college students need all the positivity we can get!
2. Watch your favorite movie.
I don't have a favorite movie; I just go through these phases where I'm completely and utterly obsessed with one movie for about a month. It's currently Fifty Shades Darker (which I may or may not have just bought off of iTunes for $13 last week). So no matter what it is you're stressing about, there's nothing Christian Grey's face can't fix.
3. Call your mom.
Moms fix everything. Anytime I feel like the world is crashing down on me, I give my mom a call. She reminds me that everything is okay, and that one day I'll be glad I spent the night in studying for my poli sci exam instead of at the frat across the street from me.
4. Get out.
And I mean literally. It's easy to forget the resources we have at our fingertips during the weeks of finals. Get out of your dorm room. Center City is literally down Broad Street, which means endless ways to clear your mind. Get a cheesesteak, go ice skating, shop. The city is a beautiful place, but even more beautiful during the holidays. Don't let the stress of finals alter your excitement for the holidays!
5. Utilize your resources.
It sounds cliche, but don't forget about those resources available to you. There are a number of on-campus counseling services at Temple University, Tuttleman Counseling Services being one. You can schedule appointments or simply walk in to alleviate stress or anxiety. It is also important to utilize RAs and Peer Mentors; their sole purpose is to help college students through the process. Roommates and friends are great people to vent to, mainly because they are experiencing similar things. By speaking to your peers, you may realize that you're not the only one who feels this way and even learn more ways to cope with stress.
Despite the numerous stress factors college comes with, remember all the good Temple University provides us with. Not only are we in one of the largest cities in the country, but we have a great number of opportunities right on campus. Enjoy this time, because you'll never get it back. Push through the stress and "trust the process." In just a few weeks you'll be glad you did.
