STRESSED?

It’s that time of year again: while Luther students are cramming for exams, they’re still attempting to cram in all of the year’s final social activities. With so much to do and so many things to remember, how can students maintain their GPAs and their sanity?

Stress is a common factor in many aspects of college life. Whether you’re finishing up your first year or heading out into the big world after graduation, the anxiety and overwhelming feelings you may encounter can hinder your success.

Defined as the physical, emotional or mental response to change, stress can have either positive or negative effects. When stress is placed upon individuals in the form of deadlines or time constraints, students often work extra hard in short bursts to finish up their final papers or take their final exams.

But it is the bad form of stress, the type that overwhelms you and doesn’t allow you to relax, that students must watch out for. Stress not only hinders your emotional state but can also create negative physical effects including increased heart rate, higher blood pressure or stomach and muscle tension.

When students are faced with stress in one or all aspects of their life, it is difficult to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Fortunately, Luther Counseling Services, located in the back of the Larsen building, offers a variety of ways for students to step out of the darkness and into the sunshine.

With the option of scheduling meetings with counselors and a plethora of handouts for students to use regarding ways to manage stress and time or what to do when faced with anxiety, Counseling Services provides students with self-help resources and an outlet for relieving stress.

Also, at http://www.luther.edu/student-life/counseling/index.html, students can download relaxation MP3s created by Steve Hogan (‘08) and other relaxation audios from colleges throughout the United States.

If walking all the way to the back of Larsen isn’t really your thing, there are other coping strategies you can practice from the comfort of your dorm room. Try setting up a time management plan and focus on a single task at a time. You could also try setting manageable goals for finishing up projects or papers and then rewarding yourself with a study break or a treat from the Whippy Dip.

You can also take time to enjoy the outdoors, exercise, keep a journal, listen to music or get a full night’s sleep. Getting together with friends, whether within study groups or just for fun, can also serve as a positive coping mechanism.

Whichever coping strategies you try, remember that the stress you feel is only temporary. Summer is quickly approaching, so you’ll soon be able to trade in those textbooks for a tan.