Managing Stress: College Edition

Hi everyone!

So… a lot has happened this week. Because, you know, a pandemic wasn’t enough, we are now facing a time of great turmoil and instability as a result of our toxic political climate. I’m stressed, you’re stressed, your neighbor is stressed, your dog is probably stressed, too. We’re all stressed! So how do you manage stress when you don’t have time to be stressed?

This is something you’ll probably have to figure out in college, pandemic or no pandemic.

During college, you will likely face unanticipated challenges at some point. During my first term of college (pre-COVID), my grandmother died, and then my dog died. The stress of those events—combined with the facts that I was still adjusting to Carleton’s rigorous academic environment, hardly knew anyone, and was far from home—was too much. During those last few weeks of fall term, I was anxious to the point of near-constant nausea.

Winter term, I finally started to establish a sense of normalcy at Carleton. I grew more comfortable with managing the workload, socialized more, and was generally enjoying myself more. I remember reading about something called COVID-19, but then I shoved it to the back of my mind and forgot about it.

Until people started getting worried. And wondering whether the virus could come to the US. And then it did. And then, darnedest thing, colleges started closing! And then Carleton closed. And then it was January 14, 2021. So.

Needless to say, there have been a lot of difficult situations to manage during my time as a Carleton student. But I’m not alone! Every single one of us has had to learn how to be a student while dealing with the immense stress of the past year. So I thought I’d share a few tips on getting through a difficult time.

Channel your energy into something positive.

What do you love to do? What makes you feel productive? Whatever it is, do that. When you’re going through a difficult time, you might not want to do anything. But making an effort to stay engaged is so important. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t let yourself grieve, or that you should suppress your emotions. That’s not healthy either. But give yourself a break from the negativity.

My outlet is studying. I love having class, and throwing myself into my schoolwork gives me something to do, something to be proud of, no matter what. Of course, it’s important to strike a balance—if I studied all the time, I’d become a walking textbook. But being a student is something that I deeply enjoy. Find whatever it is that makes you tick, and don’t stop doing it.

Go offline and get outside (GOGO).

Easier said than done, right? I get it. My classes, my jobs, and most of my homework are conducted online these days. So taking a break from technology can be difficult. But try. Close the laptop. Turn off the phone. Go for a walk! It will do wonders for your mental health. Why?

Well, first, if you’re using screens all day, then you’re probably sedentary. You’re not getting exercise, and your body is screaming at you. Second, you’re most likely indoors, forgetting what sunshine and clouds and trees and bunnies look like. Third, staring at a screen all day strains your eyes and is not good for you. (I’m *technically* not a doctor, but I’m taking a biology class, so… basically the same thing.)

All of these things make you feel physically and mentally sluggish. So take a screen-free break and go for a walk! I’ve been taking walks when I can, and it’s wonderful. I listen to music, enjoy the fresh air, and have time to just be alone with my thoughts. Besides, I can’t exactly twiddle away at my phone, because I’d probably get hit by a car. So it’s a great technology deterrent!

TL;DR: Get up and GOGO!

Talk to people.

We all have our own ways of dealing with things. I get that. But keeping your feelings bottled up often backfires. You can’t will challenges out of existence. Let yourself be a little emotionally vulnerable to the people that care about you. Be honest with how you’re feeling. Give yourself the chance to feel loved and supported.

I’m someone who generally likes to keep her personal business kinda *hush hush*. Despite what my posts might convey, I’m not a big fan of oversharing—there are just certain things that I like to keep private. BUT. I have learned that sometimes you find support from the most unexpected people.

During that fall term of my freshman year, there was one point at the end of the trimester when I was having a bad day. I stayed after class to talk to my professor, and she was such a big help. She listened while I completely unloaded, helped me calm down, and emailed me that (Friday!) night to check in. Her kindness made me realize that I was in a place where I was truly cared for, where I had advocates. A home away from home.

I promise this isn’t some anecdote designed to recruit.

Carleton is just an incredible school. Professors genuinely care deeply about their students, both in terms of their academic growth and their emotional well-being.

This has always been clear, but it has become even more apparent this past year. There have been so many times when a professor has started class by giving students the chance to share how they’re feeling. Even outside of class, professors are always accessible and willing to talk (even if it isn’t about the course).

So! To sum things up: Do the thing that *sparks joy* for you. Get up and GOGO. Find a friend. Inhale. Exhale. Everything will be fine.

-Andriana

P.S. Feel free to email me at any time at taratsasa@carleton.edu. For future reference, it’s linked to my name in my bio. And for more information about mental health services at Carleton, visit the websites for Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) and the Office of Health Promotion (OHP).

Andriana is a sophomore at Carleton, where she plans to major in English and double minor in Creative Writing and Cross-Cultural Studies. Although she will be spending this fall at home in Richmond, VA, Andriana is already excited to return to Carleton and escape the southern heat. When she isn’t busy avoiding Virginia’s never-ending summer, you can find Andriana binge-reading, playing music, or watching a favorite movie or show for the umpteenth time. Meet the other bloggers!