Managing Stress at Gatton
February 8, 2023 | Addie Hoskins, Student Life | No Comments
It’s no secret that attending Gatton can lead to an increase in stressors. We leave home 2 years early, move in with 200 fellow students we may have never met, take challenging classes, set our own schedules, and develop new life skills.
You might be thinking “Wow, Addie. This sounds really hard! What if I can’t handle it all?” I’ll be honest: it is hard. However, Gatton is full of resources to help students adjust to life and manage the stress that follows.
Tips for Managing Stress:
Talk to a friend. Because every student at Gatton must fulfill the STEM curriculum, we often end up taking classes with our friends (or peers who turn into friends over the duration of a class). We can study together, support each other after a difficult test, and encourage each other throughout the semester. This makes our friends a great place to turn to if we are dealing with stress!
Take a break. Sometimes I get so stressed that I think I need to work for hours with no break. However, this is one of the worst things I can do for myself! It’s scientifically proven that studying is more effective if done at intervals with breaks in between. A great strategy to de-stress is taking a break. Maybe this means reading a book, listening to some music, or getting some food. Even 10 minutes can make a difference.
Make an appointment with Pokey or Jamie. Pokey and Jamie are Gatton’s licensed therapists. Even better, they work in our building and are fully aware of the goings-on at Gatton and all that being a student here entails. Maybe you have experience with therapy or maybe it sounds a little scary. Either way, most Gatton students meet with one of our therapists during their time here. There’s no issue, big or small, that they aren’t willing to help students with.
Get active! Physical activity is one of the best ways to manage stress. You can get out some excess energy and get a rush of endorphins all in one. Whether this looks like a trip to the gym or a walk around campus, exercise is guaranteed to reduce stress. And hey, it has physical health benefits, too!
Talk to your RC. Residential Counselors or “RCs” are a great place to turn for advice! Maybe you’re dealing with homesickness or arguing with your roommate. Whatever it is, they’ve probably dealt with it before and can provide some helpful advice.
Take a nap. It may sound silly, but a nap can solve a lot of your problems. I’ll admit, even though I try to get consistent sleep, I sometimes fail to get a full 8 hours. Being tired makes it harder to pay attention to lectures, do homework, and regulate emotions. If you find yourself too tired to do homework or a little too irritable to be around people, take a quick nap!
As always, every person is different, meaning every student deals with stress in different ways. I encourage you to find what works for you and consider some of these healthy coping strategies when you find yourself getting anxious or stressed. Remember: you aren’t alone here, and there are plenty of people willing to help if you are willing to ask.
