College Student and StressCollege Student and Stress

By Shelly DavisBy Shelly Davis

Stress and College StudentsStress and College Students

• According to a student stress survey According to a student stress survey conducted by Ross, Niebling, Heckert in 1999 conducted by Ross, Niebling, Heckert in 1999 there are five factors which mitigate student there are five factors which mitigate student stress:stress:– changes in sleeping habitschanges in sleeping habits– lack of vacation/breaklack of vacation/break– changes in eating habitschanges in eating habits– increased work loadincreased work load– demanding responsibilitiesdemanding responsibilities

Stress and College StudentsStress and College Students

• The survey also indicated stress is The survey also indicated stress is particularly prevalent in freshmen during particularly prevalent in freshmen during what is defined as the transitional nature of what is defined as the transitional nature of college life (Towbes and Cohen 1996).college life (Towbes and Cohen 1996).

• During this period freshmen are most During this period freshmen are most susceptible to stress caused by separation susceptible to stress caused by separation anxiety as they attempt to adjust to being anxiety as they attempt to adjust to being away from home, while striving to maintain a away from home, while striving to maintain a high level of academic achievement. high level of academic achievement.

Stress and College StudentsStress and College Students

• An analysis of the student stress survey An analysis of the student stress survey conducted by Ross, et. al (1999) suggested conducted by Ross, et. al (1999) suggested adapting to an unfamiliar social environment adapting to an unfamiliar social environment leads to stress, in addition the survey leads to stress, in addition the survey revealed stress was not address effectively in revealed stress was not address effectively in its early stages. its early stages.

Stress and College StudentsStress and College Students

• The Counseling Services of the University of The Counseling Services of the University of Buffalo (2009) listed some sign of stress:Buffalo (2009) listed some sign of stress:– FeelingsFeelings• feeling anxious feeling anxious • feeling scaredfeeling scared• feeling irritable feeling irritable • feeling moodyfeeling moody•

Stress and College StudentsStress and College Students

– Thoughts low self-esteem Thoughts low self-esteem • fear of failure fear of failure • inability to concentrate inability to concentrate • embarrassing easily embarrassing easily • worrying about the future worrying about the future • preoccupation with thoughts/tasks preoccupation with thoughts/tasks

forgetfulnessforgetfulness

Stress and College StudentsStress and College Students

• The Counseling Services of the University if Buffalo List the following ways to reduce stress. – become aware of your own reactions to stress become aware of your own reactions to stress – reinforce positive self-statements reinforce positive self-statements – focus on your good qualities and accomplishments focus on your good qualities and accomplishments – avoid unnecessary competition avoid unnecessary competition – develop assertive behaviors and have fundevelop assertive behaviors and have fun– exercise regularly & eat a balanced diet dailyexercise regularly & eat a balanced diet daily

Stress and College StudentsStress and College Students

– talk with friends or someone you can trust about talk with friends or someone you can trust about your worries/problems your worries/problems

– learn to use your time wisely: Evaluate how you learn to use your time wisely: Evaluate how you are budgeting your time are budgeting your time

– plan ahead and avoid procrastination Make a plan ahead and avoid procrastination Make a weekly schedule and try to follow it weekly schedule and try to follow it

– set realistic goals/Set prioritiesset realistic goals/Set priorities

Stress and College StudentsStress and College Students

– When studying for an exam; study in short blocks When studying for an exam; study in short blocks and gradually lengthen the time you spend and gradually lengthen the time you spend studying. Take frequent short breaks studying. Take frequent short breaks

– Practice relaxation techniques. For example, Practice relaxation techniques. For example, whenever you feel tense, slowly breathe in and whenever you feel tense, slowly breathe in and out for several minutesout for several minutes

Thank youThank you

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