From taking tests to midterms, to tech week in the theater, to going to the game that decides whether the team is going to be in the playoffs or not, there is no doubt that the presence of stress is alive and thriving for many students at Seton Hill University (SHU).
By Sarah Last
Staff Writer
From taking tests to midterms, to tech week in the theater, to going to the game that decides whether the team is going to be in the playoffs or not, there is no doubt that the presence of stress is alive and thriving for many students at Seton Hill University (SHU).
Physiologically speaking, stress causes emotional or mental strain that causes one to be tense and worried about something. The stages of stress include being in a panicked, adrenaline induced state, then a short period of inner conflict as the body’s way of handling the panic, then finally, fatigue.
Sound familiar? If so, then there is good news, because there is a way to deal with the stress. Charmaine Strong, Dean of Students, has some helpful advice as to how to manage stress.
“Cope with stress in positive ways – eat right, get enough sleep, exercise, manage time so that everything doesn’t pile up at the end, use campus resources like CAPS, counseling, study skills, tutors, talk to someone,” she said. “Coping in negative ways (for example, drinking), complicates our lives.”
Kyra Byrne, a freshman biology and creative writing major student at SHU deals with stress through music.
“When I am stressed out, I like to blast my favorite music,” she said. “Having music play that I can relate to seems to make the stress disappear.”
One of the most stressful times for a college student can be during big test- taking times such as midterms and finals.
“Certainly, midterms and finals are stressful times. However, stress is an individual thing,” said Strong.
“For a new student, just beginning the experience can be incredibly stressful. For an upperclassman, starting a new venture like student teaching or an internship could be very stressful. Perhaps a student is having financial difficulties, perhaps friend/family member is sick back home, etc.,” Strong said.
Sarah Lyons, a freshman and forensic science major, commented on how she deals with her stress.
“Things that stress me out the most are trying to maintain a normal schedule, such as getting up on time and having to get assignments done. In order to prevent stress, I write everything down according to the class and when it’s due. Then, I write down when I’m going to get it done, and I stick with that until the assignments are completed.”
Terri Bassi- Cook, director of counseling, disability and health services, gave a more anecdotal approach to looking at anxiety.
“There are two types of stress, eustress [or good stress] and distress [or bad stress]. The good stress helps to motivate us to get things done. Lower levels of stress are the ones that tend to be helpful. When there is too much stress, stress overload, people tend to get overwhelmed and experience negative effects. The best way to manage stress is by having positive and optimistic attitudes, good time management, exercise, good nutrition and sleep habits etc.”
All the facts seem to agree: a little stress can be good because it can motivate positive actions, however, too much stress causes a lot of anxiety and worry that doesn’t produce much of anything. It can be managed by a positive outlook, a healthy lifestyle, and a followed schedule. Life can get hectic, but if these tools are applied,will become easier to manage.