Handling the Stress of College One Step at a Time
College can be stressful. From freshmen to seniors, every college student is in a perpetual state of change. We are all morphing into real adults and while this time in our lives can be incredibly exciting and fun, it can also be scary and stressful. The workload from classes doesn’t help much either.
It’s okay. Take a deep breath. Stress is normal and you are not alone. There are plenty of ways to deal with the stress of college, you just have to be prepared and not be afraid to take a break or get help when you need it.
Take a break
Getting involved is great, but if you are becoming overwhelmed with the number of activities you are involved in, take a break! You don’t have to be in every club and intramural sport to be successful. Pray about what things you might need to quit and what things you should stick with. Find a balance that works for you and don’t be embarrassed. You’re taking care of yourself.
Go to office hours
Many professors offer office hours for students to come in and ask questions or get help on assignments. While this might seem weird at first, going in to get help is a great way to feel more confident about your school work and may make it feel less daunting. Another great tip is to form study groups in your classes. As a group, you can work together to help each other understand the material better and feel less stressed about your workload.
Find a Life Group
The best thing to do when you are stressed is to find a good support group. This can be your family or a group of friends, but one way to find a support team fast is to join a Life Group. Life Groups and Community Groups meet once a week to pray together and discuss God’s word. This a great way to find the support you need while simultaneously supporting others.
Talk to a counselor
If your stress is becoming too overwhelming, reach out to GCU’s Wellness center to set up a free appointment with a counselor. GCU’s counselors have seen hundreds of GCU students and are well trained and equipped to help you manage your stress in a healthy way.
Grand Canyon University is committed to helping students succeed academically as well as mentally and spiritually. If you are interested in seeking counseling help please visit the health and wellness website . If you are in crisis, please call the suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or call GCU Public Safety at 602-639-8100.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
