“Managing Stress in College: Strategies for a Freshman Away from Home”

QUESTION

A college freshman, living on campus and away from their family of origin for the first time, is preparing for their first semester final examinations. Over the last six weeks, the student has been having difficulty sleeping, cannot concentrate on studying, and has stopped exercising. Their assignment and test scores have fallen and they have a cold that is not going away. Their friends have been encouraging the student to attend parties to relax and drink alcohol, but the student refuses to leave their dormitory room.​ Question 4 / 4 How Can This Be Prevented? For each action the student can take, click to select if the action will help decrease their current stress, cope with stress better in the future, or not help cope with stress. Each action may fit into more than one category.​ Decrease Current Stress​ Help Cope with Future Stress​ Not Help Cope with Stress​ Eating only at fast-food restaurants​ Have a support system​ Start exercising again​ Learn to meditate for relaxation​

ANSWER

“Managing Stress in College: Strategies for a Freshman Away from Home”

Introduction

The scenario of a college freshman experiencing high levels of stress and its adverse effects on their academic performance and well-being is not uncommon. To address the student’s current stress and equip them with strategies for coping with stress in the future, it’s essential to consider various actions. In this essay, we’ll evaluate these actions and categorize them based on whether they would decrease current stress, help cope with future stress, or not contribute to stress management.

Decrease Current Stress

Start exercising again: Engaging in regular physical activity can help reduce current stress levels. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood elevators, and it can improve sleep quality, increase energy levels, and reduce feelings of anxiety.

Learn to meditate for relaxation: Learning meditation techniques can be highly effective in alleviating current stress. Meditation promotes relaxation, reduces anxiety, and enhances concentration, all of which can benefit the overwhelmed student.

Help Cope with Future Stress

Have a support system: Building a strong support system of friends, family, or counselors is crucial for coping with future stress. Having people to talk to and rely on during challenging times can provide emotional comfort and practical assistance.

Start exercising again: While exercise can alleviate current stress, it also contributes to better coping with future stress. Regular physical activity is known to enhance resilience and provide a buffer against stressors that may arise in the future.

Learn to meditate for relaxation: Meditation is a valuable skill for long-term stress management. By incorporating meditation into their daily routine, the student can develop a healthy coping mechanism for handling future stressors more effectively.

Not Help Cope with Stress

Eating only at fast-food restaurants: Opting to eat exclusively at fast-food restaurants is a habit that would not help cope with stress. Poor dietary choices can negatively impact physical and mental health, potentially exacerbating stress levels over time.

Conclusion

For the college freshman facing stress and its associated challenges, it’s crucial to consider actions that address both immediate stressors and provide tools for future stress management. Engaging in regular exercise and learning meditation can effectively decrease current stress while simultaneously building resilience for future stressors. Building a support system is another essential component of long-term stress management. However, choosing to eat only at fast-food restaurants may not contribute positively to stress management and overall well-being. By combining these strategies, the student can develop a comprehensive approach to tackle stress and improve their overall college experience.