By Courtney Elisech
As the beginning of the semester looms near and summer ends, take the time to check in with yourself mentally. The start of classes can mean different things to everyone and bring various stresses and anxiety. Self-care is a real need. Let it start now, not when everything is overwhelming.
Some people are moving locations, managing class schedules with work schedules, or experiencing face-to-face classes for the first time. For many people, everything combined is stress.
Find something relaxing that you can look forward to or use as a tool to get help through rough patches—a stress outlet. There are so many different ideas, but here are a few.
Try meditation and then try it again. It doesn’t always make sense or seem helpful the first time. As you keep at it, your body anticipates relaxation, and the feelings last longer. It’s like the saying, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
Take a walk. It is that simple. Just get out of your space and stretch your legs while you let your brain have a rest. Regular exercise will help to relieve stress. Learn what will work for you and make a plan, even if it starts with that walk.
Naps and sleeping are essential in life, mainly for college students. This is where quality and quantity matter. You must let your mind and body rest and recharge to succeed.
Seek quiet time at home where you’re not focusing on school. Be creative. Paint, color, or draw. Read a book or binge a show on a streaming service. Take a bath or have an at-home spa day.
Find a physical outlet if you need ones like axe throwing or plate smashing. Both are substantial adrenaline rushes and extremely fun while leaving you relaxed.
Spend time with friends and family that relax you or entertain you. Have support that is available to you when you need it. Have an ear to listen to you complain and vent and cry.
Eating well and enough is so important. If you just eat junk all the time, you will feel like junk. Undereating and overeating will have your stomach hurting and brain confused. Create a well-balanced plan that includes at least three healthy meals or 5-6 small meals. One good healthy meal and healthy snacking throughout the day is a must.
Meal prepping is complex, and food is expensive, but you don’t need to be perfect. Try and try again until you have something that works for you. Delta College’s Student Food Pantry can help alleviate some financial stress with various food assistance. Visit their webpage to learn more about your services and schedule a pickup time.
Get school things ready in advance. Prepare your bag the night before a morning class. You can also have your clothes ready to help fight off that morning stress. Prepare and take lunch or food with you. Try to avoid procrastination.
Have you moved, and everything is still in chaos? Have no fear! Prioritize what you need daily and make it happen. Focus on finding the stuff you need right now and finding a room or place that is neat and set up. For example, set up your bedroom and bathroom. You use two places a lot, which will help to have them cleaned and ready for you—a place to escape the chaotic boxes everywhere.
Set goals while maintaining daily realistic expectations. Make a checklist for the day, week, or month and start it with easy things you can check off immediately. It will make you feel more accomplished because you have already completed something you wanted to be done. No task is too small for the checklist.
It would help if you learned what works for you to manage school and all that it does. Seek help when you need it, whether it is in the form of a tutor, a therapist, a classmate, or a professor. There is no shame in admitting you need help.
Delta College has resources on campus to help students. Free, confidential counseling services are available to enrolled students. The options are there for you, from grief counseling to test anxiety, career planning, and more. The national suicide and crisis hotline number was updated this year. Call or text 988 and talk to a live person 24/7. The old number 1-800-273-TALK (8255) will also work indefinitely.
A student needing physical, electronic, or academic accommodations should reach out to the Office of Disability Resources. From longer test times to alternate versions of class texts, the ODR can help students establish their needs and ensure they are met.
Delta’s student veterans have many resources available on campus and state-wide. Need help securing financial aid, finding local veteran services, or learning about career development? Visit Delta’s Veteran’s Services page to learn more.
School can be challenging, especially when it is added to real life. Get a jump on the crazy and overwhelming feelings. Learn what will work for you, and if it doesn’t, then change it up until it does. When you feel like things are getting out of hand, please reach out and find help.
