Dont College Pressure Flatten You

School work and social pressures can make a student's life extremely stressful. College life is demanding and the day to day pressures can cause a variety of problems in a students health. It is easy to become so overwhelmed that you cannot effectively manage these tension filled situations.

The key is to tackle the problems before they reach epic proportions and become to big to handle alone. Follow these tips to put a damper on the stress and keep calm.

1. Get/Stay Organized
Not as many stressful situations arise when you keep your life as organized as possible. Even if three big research projects are all due simultaneously, staying organized can help you take each project step by step on a effective timeline and keep things running smoothly. Use a calendar or PDA to enter your daily assignments and due dates. Use reminder alarms and get everything in order the day before. Make sure to prioritize everything by due date and grade points.

2.Use relaxation techniques
Even the most organized, on-point person in the world feels stressed out at times. When you feel the squeeze of college pressure folding in on you, take a break. Step outside and close your eyes, take several deep breathes. Force yourself to make time to relax and focus on yourself.

3.Take care of yourself
Don't underestimate the effects of good nutrition, proper sleep and exercise. Exercise and physical activity are proven to have a positive effect on depression and mental health. Eating the right foods provides your body with adequate brain energy to think through problems and deal with stressors. Getting enough sleep gives you the energy and reaction time to solve problems.

4.Get help
If the stress and pressures of college life becomes to much to handle, ask for help. It is OK to ask an adviser or a peer to help. College is a stressful situation and everyone has felt it in their own lives. You are not the only one. There are other people who are willing to help and there are things to try that you may not be aware of, yet.

5. Realize that it's good to do your own thing
Arriving at college is a lonely time. Freshman often come from high school in a town where they knew everyone. Coming to a place where they know no one is scary. Sometimes student will do things they would rather not just to fit in to the new crowd. Know that it's good and healthy to do your own thing. If you don't want to participate in something everyone else is doing, DON'T. It's that simple. College is about becoming an adult and this is part of the journey to independence.

Above all, don't give up. College is hard work on all fronts but the end result is worth it.

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