How to Tell if College is Stressing you Out
College is a stressful experience for most people, but there’s a huge difference between being stressed about getting assignments done on time and college stressing you out.
One is a passing experience and maybe a rush against the clock if you haven’t finished an assignment yet. The other is ongoing and painful stress that is constant. So how do you tell if college is stressing you out?
Your Grades are Slipping
The first sign of college stressing out is that you find yourself not having enough time to get everything in on time and your grades are suffering because of it. If you find yourself overwhelmed and swimming in work and you feel like you’re not even treading water, then it might be time to consider that college may be stressing you out far too much.
If your ability to go to classes, take in information, and do well on tests is suffering because of your stress level then you need to take a step back and work towards lowering your stress level. Talk to your professors, find a tutor, get with a classmate and talk it out. There are plenty of ways to help lower your stress levels about classwork.
Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
If you find yourself partying every night, or needing to drink more than three days a week, then you might not enjoy partying so much as you’re seeking an escape from stress. Many people consider getting rid of stress easy because they’ll go out and have fun to ignore the stress. This is a bandaid on a gunshot.
Starting up unhealthy coping mechanisms to cope with the stress of college is real and it’s often seen in parties, excessive drinking, and reckless behavior.
College stress shouldn’t make you feel like you need a drink to get an essay done, or that you need to go to a party every night to unwind from the stress of a class. If you feel like you’ve lost control of your partying or drinking, please talk to your friends and family or a counselor at your school.
You’re Isolating Yourself
When was the last time you saw your friends or called a parent? If the answer is that it’s been longer than your usual amount of time then you might be isolating yourself. In opposition to wanting to party as a way to cope with stress, there is keeping to yourself too much.
If you can’t find time for your family and friends, or if you feel distant from them and can’t share what you’re feeling with them - that might be the stress talking. Take a step back and examine why you haven’t talked to them in a while. They want to hear from you, reach out. It will help.
If you find yourself having a hard time in college, reach out and talk to someone. There are counselors on campuses, online forums, and your friends and family are there for you. Don’t suffer in silence.
Struggling to balance life as a student? Check out this video about the 5 best apps to help you stay organized!
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