The pressure to succeed never dies down for college students. At Boston College, we emphasize competition and putting up a successful façade, only showing how easy it is to juggle schoolwork, clubs and leadership positions, and partying hard on the weekends. Deep down, we all feel stressed out and can feel the pressure constantly mounting, so here are a few tips and tricks to winding down and diminishing your anxiety.
Make sure you set aside at least a half hour for some me-time.
I know there’s always the risk of a half hour turning into five hours of Netflix, but try to maintain self-control while doing something that makes you feel good. Watching Netflix, Facetiming your family, going for a walk/run, whatever is best for you.
Make the effort to turn off technology at a certain time during the week.
Building this habit forces you to get your work done earlier and breaks up your day between work time and your come-down time. Also, not giving yourself the option to pull all-nighters because you’ve put away your electronics for the night reduces the stress and anxiety you get from unfinished work.
If you’re feeling homesick, try supplementing your talks with your family with things you would normally do at home.
Bringing the familiarity of home to your dorm room might help alleviate some of the stress and sadness of being away from your family for an extended period of time. If you usually cook or bake at home and you have a kitchen, see if bringing homey kitchen smells to your apartment comforts you. If you like to watch HGTV for hours with your mom every weekend (like I do), see if she’s available for Facetime, curl up on your couch and watch with her remotely.
Throw yourself into a hobby or make sure your time is well-structured.
It is well known that idle hands are trouble; try to reduce the time spent by yourself watching Netflix or online shopping in bed and get busy! The more time you spend doing things you enjoy, the less time you have to be stressed out.
If you’re still feeling down and out, talk to someone.
I don’t know how many times I’ve felt so much better just talking through all the things that I have to do during the week. Go down the list of things you have to do in the morning with a friend or your parents (who I’m sure would love to hear what you’re up to!), or at the very least debrief with your agenda or planner before you start your day.
If necessary, please reach out to Campus Counseling Services at this website. Make an appointment or walk in, but always know that you have someone to talk to.
We all feel pressure, stress and anxiety, and it shouldn’t ever have to be a problem you deal with alone. Appointments and meetings are confidential.
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Sources:
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