I know I picked the right school for me because starting there in 3 weeks feels like it will be a natural transition from where I went to high school. Whenever I visit campus, I feel at home and at ease. The students I've met in person and friended on Facebook seem like people I will get along well with. I'm eagerly awaiting orientation to see even more of what the community has to offer academically and socially.
Despite all this, I know that my first semester of college will come with new stress factors. Moving to a new environment, no matter how natural the transition feels, brings challenges. At our schools, programs and protocols are set up to help us take on these challenges. But, each student must develop adaptability and self-accountability so that she can take stress by the horns. Being adaptable means many things like identifying one's own stress, reaching out to others when in need of support, embracing change and taking advantage of resources on and off campus that help you manage and have fun with new transitions.
On campus, talking to our advisers, fellow students, support groups and teachers will help us overcome the stress inevitable in any new college student's life. Off campus, publicly organized arts, culture, sporting, music and culinary events can be just as valuable. They encourage us to have fun, learn, and engage away from a competitive, workaholic environment.
1. To defeat time management related stress put down your planner for the day and clear your mind by gallery hopping in Chelsea. Exploring the art scene with a friend can help take your mind away from an overloaded to-do list, and the art itself could inspire and motivate you to approach your schedule in a new way.
2. To defeat money-related stress, wake up early in the morning to go to a free music event like the Alicia Keys Free Summer Concert in Rockefeller Plaza. Of course, New York City is an expensive place to live. But, if you make the effort, you can have a lot of fun and experience the city even on a college student's budget.
3. To defeat academic stress, go see a few of your favorite animals at the Central Park Zoo. At each exhibit, read up about the history and biology of the animal on the zoo plaques, in information pamphlets and online. Studying animals on your own time sounds nerdy and may seem like a waste. But, learning new things, without the pressure of being tested, is a refreshing break from in-classroom academics.
4. To defeat social stress, go solo for the day! Rent a Citi Bike, pick an avenue to ride down and enjoy your own company while being active and people-watching. It's important to find a good group of friends in college. But if you're overwhelmed, there's nothing wrong with being independent from the group for a few hours.
5. To defeat campus related stress, organize an afternoon when you and group of friends can go relax in a local park. When campus is bustling and you're feeling high-strung, hanging out with friends, reading, napping or listening to music on a picnic blanket in a grassy area can be the perfect remedy.
