10 healthy, productive ways to handle the pressure of college

10 healthy ways to handle the pressure of college

 

Look, we get it — college can be stressful. Between classes, homework, tests, financing your education and juggling your personal life, going to college can be overwhelming and full of pressure.

What’s the good news? College is also a fantastic opportunity for you to practice and maintain some healthy ways of dealing with that pressure and lowering your stress! And we’re here to outline a few for you.

1. Start a sustainable workout routine

Starting and maintaining a good workout routine can be paramount to keeping on top of your mental health. Your years of college will be so much more productive and so much more fun if you’re healthy and happy!

If you’re worried about sticking with your workout routine, don’t be! Start slow, and even if you go for a 20-minute run, that’s better than not working out at all.

2. Find your community

The friends you make in college could be friends for a lifetime, and it’s important to have a few close friends you can rely on. So, make the effort to find a community of peers where you feel at home and supported through all of the pressure you face.

By the way, Marymount University has over 30 clubs and activities that you can join at anytime. Joining a student organization can be an incredibly helpful way to meet like-minded people on campus.

3. Prioritize your sleep

Sleep is important — like, really important. The older and the busier you get, the more difficult it will be to get your sleep.

So, start establishing some good sleep habits now. You’ll thank yourself in your 30’s! 🙂

4. Concentrate on self-care methods

Whether you’re a wallflower or a social butterfly, only you know what’s going to make you feel happy and fulfilled. Maybe for you, reading a good book or grabbing coffee with a friend is more fulfilling than attending a large social event. In short, figure out what will bring you happiness and make those activities a priority!

5. Ask for help

When you’re at college, there are so many resources to help you out if you’re having a hard time, whether it’s because of personal or academic pressure.

So, don’t be afraid to ask for help! Your college is there to help you.

6. Volunteer somewhere, anywhere!

If you’ve never volunteered before, you’re really missing out! Volunteering and helping others in need is such a rewarding experience and can help you put your own challenges into perspective. So, volunteer to walk dogs at the local animal shelter or offer to visit the residents at an assisted living home. Choose one of your strengths and use that to help others.

At Marymount, service to others is a core value demonstrated through our on-campus Saints Center for Service. Click here to learn more.

7. Find a quaint study spot

Whether you’re a coffee, tea, juice or smoothie fan, you should find “your spot” to study and do homework. Sometimes it helps to get out of the library or out of your dorm to get your school work done. Plus, who doesn’t love a hot latte and a pastry while you study for your next test?

8. Learn to cook

Don’t underestimate the healing power of a home-cooked meal. There’s something really therapeutic about making spaghetti with red sauce, a chicken pot pie or homemade soup!

If you live in a dorm and don’t have access to a full kitchen, there are resources out there to help you: like BuzzFeed’s 23 Dorm Room Meals You Can Make in a Microwave, or Greatist’s 27 Healthy Dinner Recipes So Easy Even You Can Make Them.

9. Get a plant

Sure, not everyone has a “green thumb.” But look, there’s something really rewarding about getting a plant and watching it grow. Plus, plants are good for the air! If you’re not particularly good with plants, get a super low-maintenance plant like a clover or a philodendron!

10. Value (and don’t underestimate) the power of alone time

Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, you shouldn’t underestimate the power of alone time. Scheduling to have some time to yourself will allow you to reflect on your current challenges and come up with some solutions on your own.

 

Find out if Marymount University is the home for you! If you have questions regarding how Marymount can prepare you for a successful and fulfilling career post-graduation, we hope you’ll request more information. We’d love to hear from you and help you figure out the challenges that come with applying to college and financing a college education.