Stress Management Techniques

College comes with lots of changes in course load, scheduling, friendships, daily routines and more. All these new experiences can bring on an overwhelming wave of stress and pressure that students must learn to handle. Over the course of my college career, I have picked up quite a few ways to manage my stress so that I can get the most out of all of my classes and my time here at NC State!

One of my favorite methods of relaxation is meditation. It’s important for students to take a moment for themselves, even if it’s only for a few minutes because it can make a world of difference. I started using Headspace, a meditation app because NC State partnered with them to provide free premium memberships for students on a first come first serve basis. Getting into a regular schedule with meditation has helped relieve anxiety and provides me with the opportunity to take a breath, relax and reduce any racing thoughts. 

I was also able to practice breathing and relaxation techniques through yoga classes that Wellness and Recreation offers to all students for free! There are a plethora of times available so there’s bound to be a class that fits your student’s schedule. Wellness and Recreation also offers a variety of other fitness classes including cycling and Zumba that students and their friends can register for and attend to get some much-needed physical activity after spending hours in the classroom and working on assignments.  

I have also found a lot of use with the Counseling Center on campus. The counselors I have met with have all been very kind, understanding and helpful. This is a necessity for any overwhelmed student who needs someone to listen to them and support them through issues they may be facing in either their personal, academic or professional life. 

Learning how to properly manage time by creating a schedule and sticking to it has been a challenge and I know it is for a lot of students, but it is incredibly beneficial to reducing stress. I utilize Google Calendar for my class schedule, important dates, meetings and more which ensures I do not miss anything and I can properly schedule any schoolwork or plans accordingly. I also thoroughly enjoy using a website and app called Notion to create a complete list of all my assignments and tests for the semester by using the syllabi from my classes. I can plan out my workload each week according to what’s due and having all this information in one spot makes the process much smoother and ensures no assignment slips through the cracks. 

College life is all about balance. Finding the proper schedule and activities can relieve a lot of stress and improve the overall well-being of students. It’s important for students to explore any options that may be beneficial to them because mental health is incredibly important in the ever-changing environment that is the college experience. 

Parent Ally, 

Madison