In a recent informal poll of 42 Keene State College students, 93 percent of students said they become stressed or anxious at some point throughout the week. Of the 42, 76 percent said they have found a way to manage their stress, while seven students said they had yet to find a way to cope with their anxiety. Three students answered and said stress is not an issue for them. We learned there are two types of stress; eustress and distress. Eustress is the “good” stress—it’s what motivates someone to work.
Ever feel ready to get down to business and bang out a paper or a project? That’s eustress kicking in. The “bad” stress is distress, when the “good” stress becomes too much to cope with. The motivation and fun behind the challenge are removed, and feelings of being overwhelmed take over. Ramona Anderson, counselor at the KSC Counseling Center, said stress is a bigger issue than people think.
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Anderson explained stress reduces the power of the immune system, making the point that stress does not only affect one’s emotional and mental health, but also the physical. According to collegeandfinance.com, the top five stressors for college students today include relationships, roommate conflicts, time management, academics, and finances.
Anderson commented on the stress of college students when she said, “The thing about stress is it’s not just one thing—it all gets layered.” Anderson explained if someone is stressed, they’re most likely not stressed about just one thing.
KSC student Kerry Morlock said she experiences stress and anxiety constantly throughout the week.“It got worse as each year went on,” the senior biology major explained.
“Figuring out time management is hard.” Morlock said balancing her course load and off-campus job is a challenge.
She is an example of the layered stress Anderson discussed. Not only is she stressed over the work she must complete, but she’s anxious to find time to get it done and make money on the side.
Similarly, sophomore Kasey Mangold feels stressed at times throughout the week with class assignments. “I’m taking five classes this semester,” Mangold explained.
“When a lot of the things are due at the same time, I get really stressed.” Mangold said she creates a “To-Do” list to keep her on track and from becoming too overwhelmed.
“If I don’t have a list, I think of everything and have no idea where to start,” she said.
Morlock said she de-stresses by working out.
“I like to go to the gym–that always helps. I try to work it into my schedule ahead of time,” Morlock said. Morlock and Mangold are relatable in that their lives reflect the challenges of today’s college students. Anderson said she believes many students are spreading themselves too thin. Anderson suggested students pay close attention to the hours they sleep at night and the foods they consume during the day. “Make sleep more of a priority,” the counselor said.
“I also don’t think students eat well. Food is energy, and your body needs to get fueled.”
Anderson encouraged students to learn how to say “no” to things so as to not overextend themselves. She said, “It’s better to do five things well than 50 different things not so well.” Anderson also stressed the importance of downtime when she said giving yourself a break is like giving yourself a gift.
“There’s nothing better than stopping, taking a moment to be fully present and breath,” she said.
Anderson encouraged students to use one minute here and there throughout their day or even between classes to take a moment to relax.
Senior Kevin Hoyt said he found a way to stay sane between his course load and the demanding schedule of KSC track and field.
“Homework and trying to schedule everything is stressful,” he said, “but running relieves stress, and I try to take a night or two off from homework every week.”
Anderson said she sees students who believe their college years should be the best time of their life, and that their stress should come when they enter the “real world.” But she said she doesn’t necessarily agree with that idea. Anderson said, “I think college is much more stressful than the ‘real world.’” She continued, “The stressors on you guys are tremendous. You have to be on and available 24/7.”
Next time you find yourself stressed, evaluate your activities and prioritize what’s most important to you.
This may mean cutting certain things out, but at the end of the day, your emotional and physical well-being are most important.
For students who find themselves getting extremely anxious and stressed to the point that sleeping, eating, and functioning on a normal day is too difficult, we encourage them to visit the counseling center.
Keep calm and carry on, Keene State.
Kim Borkowski can be contacted at kborkowski@keene-equinox.com
Julie Conlon can be contacted at jconlon@keene-equinox.com