By LENNY GRAY
The transition from high school to college can often be a difficult one. Incoming freshmen often suffer high degrees of stress and anxiety due to the numerous changes that college life brings.
Jeff Hill, 18, a freshman from Logan, majoring in engineering, said he did more homework in his first week of college than he did in all of high school. He said all of the rumors he heard about the difficulties of college came true.
“The work load for one of my classes is capable of consuming most of the day,” Hill said.
The demands of college seem to bring about added pressures that most students have never had to deal with. Late nights studying in the library, early classes and skipping meals also seem to increase the likelihood of stress and anxiety.
The Midwest Center for Stress and Anxiety has determined some basic guidelines for coping with stress and anxiety: Recognize and admit that you are feeling stressed and anxious, pinpoint what it is that you are stressed about, think of ways to eliminate or minimize the stressful situation, don’t overwhelm yourself with high expectations, and give yourself positive reinforcements.
“I found that meeting new people and enjoying the outdoors really helped me in adjusting to the college life,” said Chante King, 20, a junior from Holbrook, Idaho, majoring in mathematics.
King said that it is important for all students to find activities they enjoy and make sure they find the time to do them.
For students who are having a difficult time dealing with stress, the Counseling and Career Development Center offers stress tests that can assist in relieving stress and anxiety.
