College students can easily become overwhelmed if not properly monitored. There are many services to visit if students do experience the daunting effects of stress. Photo Illustration by Jordan Plowman

Jordan Plowman
Lantern Staff

Have you ever pushed off homework because you felt like it was too much or dreaded going to work because you know you have an assignment due that night?

By the Merriam- Webster definition, stress is the “physical, chemical or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation.”

Students who enroll in an abundance of credit hours sometimes do not know how to curve the side effect of stress that comes with the commitment.

Mass Communications major radio and TV Noble Belmont is taking 18 credit hours this semester and is learning how powerful stress can really be.

“Exhausted, worn out, I get stressed,” Belmont said. “Then I am like alright, ‘I just don’t want to do anything…’ I usually get two things of homework, every day from every class period.”

Belmont’s experience is not a unique one, for many students struggle with managing their workload.

“The heaviest flow of students [in the tutoring lab] is right towards the end of the semester,” Lindsey Choim, a tutor and biology major, said.

Counselor Nancy Hamm offers recommendations to students who experience stress.

“Typically, I see an increase in appointments after 4-6 weeks into the semester,” Hamm said. “Knowing how to manage your time and getting enough sleep is essential.”

The key idea to remember is that students are not alone. There are many ways to confront and relieve stress. Not every way will work for every person; some might have to modify it to work for their needs.

“I help them to recognize that stress is a normal part of life, and they can handle it successfully by using positive coping strategies, accepting help from others, setting healthy boundaries and making self-care a priority,” Hamm said.

A calming technique Hamm describes is practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness makes a person focus on the here and now. A person starts by closing their eyes, focusing on their breath and the five senses until they feel calm enough to open their eyes again.

“Mindfulness has many health benefits, both physical and mental,” Hamm said. “It improves focus and concentration, which will have a positive impact on your academics. Even a few minutes a day can give you a better sense of control over stress.”

Before a person gets in a stressed state, they can also take preventive measures.

“I use Google calendars and that’s a big help because I can access that anywhere on my laptop, my phone…” Belmont said. “That is also one thing I changed. I had never done that before until I came to college, so it has actually helped out a lot.”

Choi offers tips to dissect a stressful assignment.

“Take it bit by bit, break it down. Even if it is a simple assignment, break it down into manageable bits,” Choi said. “Personally, when I have dealt with students stressed out, it is about reminding them about how much they have already put into their hard work and effort.”

No matter what is causing the stress, Butler offers services such as counseling and tutoring to confront stress.