College students experience a considerable amount of stress because of several factors like deadlines, examinations, juggling work and study, poor time management and out of control debts. Some aspects of a college experience like peer pressure, identity issues and not fitting in, as well as the difficulty that comes with it, will all affect the student’s personal and emotional well-being. Stress occurs when your tension level exceeds your energy level, resulting in an overloaded feeling. No one is immune to stress. It is an inevitable part of life, but you can control it.

Since we all know prevention is better than cure, here are some ways to prevent stress in college:

  • Time management – Managing your time is an essential skill anywhere. By allotting time for studies and assignments, social life and work, one can definitely escape stress.

  • A support system – You don’t have to go through this on your own. Your support system includes someone that you can vent out to, open up and seek a solution or direction to any problem. This can be one or more than one person like family, partner/spouse, friends, therapist/ counsellor etc…

  • Understand your triggers – Getting to know what exactly triggers you can help you get a hold or control on them. Know what is causing stressful situations in your life , be it people, time, situations.

If you’re a college student facing difficulty, here are some ways that will help you in managing your stress :

  • Eat well – Your diet has a major impact on your outlook and energy levels. In the long-run, it can also cause chronic illnesses.

  • Sleep – Just as much as a healthy diet, sleep is critical too. By getting enough sleep for at least 7 hours, it can improve your mental health and keep you intact.

  • Exercise – We all know, exercise not only changes one’s body, it also changes one’s mind, attitude and mood. It is essential to work out for at least 3 times a week.

  • Find a stress outlet – Never let stress be your controller. A recent study has found(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4668773/) a link between caffeine consumption and stress levels, suggesting that drinking a lot of coffee to help you make it through the day may actually be related to elevated levels of stress, anxiety and depression. Following a healthy diet and skipping caffeine , especially coffee can make a lot of difference.

  • Get organized – Setting a schedule or a timetable can avoid a lot of mess and give you more clarity on the goals to be attained.

  • Try relaxation techniques – Meditation is one technique to calm your body and mind. Taking a few deep breaths can also relieve stress at times.

Stress in college is a part that one cannot eliminate, but it doesn’t have to dominate your life. Do your best to understand what kind of stress you’re feeling, what’s causing it, and how you can respond to it productively. By addressing your stress in a healthy way, you are doing all that you can to make the most of your college education. When you know you are doing the best you can to have a successful future, stress won't even touch you.