I personally believe life is all about balance. If you do too much of one thing and not enough of the other, you’ll drive yourself crazy. And though going crazy in college is seemingly inevitable, there are ways to prolong your dreaded meltdowns. Here are some ways to destress in college:
1. Weekends
Weekends in college offer a lot a freedom from the five days of nonstop tests and homework. It may not seem like much, but in reality, it’s a life saver. So try to spend these weekends doing what you want to do. If you like to party, go to a party. If you like to stay in, stay in. If you like to do both, do both. But, try to go about them all differently. Maybe you go to a party one night and stay in the next, or go to a sports game and then party after. There are so many different ways to enjoy yourself that it won't be hard to find what is so enjoyable; you forget about everything else.
2. Friends
It’s easy to find people who have similar interests as you. There are enough people on campus where you can associate yourself with a crowd you feel most comfortable in. But, it’s always good to socialize with more than just one group or person. Maybe try going to parties and events with one crowd, and staying in for a movie night with another. In whatever you do, be with the right people that you would be proud to call friends.
3. Family
As much as it may annoy you that your mom calls every day, talk to her. Call your family and friends back home a couple times a week. They miss you, and you’d be lying if you said you didn't miss them. Calling the family just to chat can be a huge help in releasing stress after a long day of classes. They’re your family and friends and you want to hear what their up to just as much as they want to hear what you’re up to. It’s a nice distraction to talk to the people you care about.
4. Work
By far, and obviously so, the most stressful part of college. Homework, tests, term papers, it seems like it’s never ending. So to start, make sure you’re taking as many classes as your personally think you can handle. Don’t go crazy diving into eight classes if you question your ability to make all of the work. Also, be sure to do your work far enough in advance where you're not crying from stress last minute. And I am more well aware than you think, that procrastination is almost impossible to avoid; “almost.” Try studying and doing one piece of homework in pieces at a time. Don’t do it all at once. Working on something with someone in the same class is also helpful too.
5. Food
“Don’t eat like crap, or you’ll gain the Freshman Fifteen.” Ahh, the dreaded college weight gain. It scared me too. But, it’s not something to stress over. If you gain a little weight, you gain a little wight. You’re in a new environment living on your own, so you have to consider that there are more factors in your weight gain than just eating. In addition, remember that eating healthy is always important. Take advantage of your dining hall options. But, know that indulging every now and then will not kill you. Enjoy eating, so eat what you want in moderation, and fuel your body with the nutrients it deserves. It will also aid in dealing with study stress and energy levels too.
6. Exercise
Personally, I love exercise. But I get that it’s not everyones' cup of tea. So find a form of exercise that you don’t dread doing, otherwise, you’re not getting the full effects. Exercise is supposed to release endorphins, making you happier, which is going to be a lot more difficult if you’re more of an elevator rider using the stair-master. Get out there and do inter-murals, or get a pick up game together with friends, or go to a spin class. There are plenty of ways to exercise in college that don't necessarily involve a gym.
Good luck college students!
