Students avoid stress with activities, academics
Rachel Hudes
Issue date: 5/29/09 Section: News
Attitude plays a significant role in a student's success and helps guide students through inevitably stressful situations, according to Annette Molyneux, assistant dean of the office of Counseling & Health.
"Having a certain attitude where you are looking at life as a series of challenges instead of a road block that you can't get around is important," Molyneux said.
Molyneux said students should start by addressing their individual problems and then work on resolving them one at a time.
"Instead of looking at the big picture, taking it one day and one problem at a time will prevent stress in a student's life," Molyneux said.
Right from the start of a student's adjustment process to college, it is important to have a schedule for studying and social activities, but Molyneux also discussed the dangers of not maintaining good lifestyle habits.
"Poor sleeping habits, leading to sleep deprivation, greatly contributes to stress. It can cause a person to feel worn down and become more vulnerable to sickness," Molynuex said. "If you're not taking care of yourself, it causes you to cognitively and physically not function as well. Everyone has their own individual stressors but sticking to the general guidelines about prioritizing time and being efficient with it is important. Also remember to take time to just relax."
Molyneux advises students to remember what made them relaxed in the past.
"When I get overwhelmed I try to let my mind wonder for an hour or so through dance, yoga or working out at the gym," Kristen Smith, president of the Undergraduate Student Government Association, said.
Molyneux also spoke about different campus programs that are available for students to help with adjusting to Drexel and reducing stress. For example, the learning center provides academic support.
Besides the learning center, Molyneux suggests athletics as an activity to unwind, as well as another Drexel program called CALMM, which is offered through the counseling center.
"Having a certain attitude where you are looking at life as a series of challenges instead of a road block that you can't get around is important," Molyneux said.
Molyneux said students should start by addressing their individual problems and then work on resolving them one at a time.
"Instead of looking at the big picture, taking it one day and one problem at a time will prevent stress in a student's life," Molyneux said.
Right from the start of a student's adjustment process to college, it is important to have a schedule for studying and social activities, but Molyneux also discussed the dangers of not maintaining good lifestyle habits.
"Poor sleeping habits, leading to sleep deprivation, greatly contributes to stress. It can cause a person to feel worn down and become more vulnerable to sickness," Molynuex said. "If you're not taking care of yourself, it causes you to cognitively and physically not function as well. Everyone has their own individual stressors but sticking to the general guidelines about prioritizing time and being efficient with it is important. Also remember to take time to just relax."
Molyneux advises students to remember what made them relaxed in the past.
"When I get overwhelmed I try to let my mind wonder for an hour or so through dance, yoga or working out at the gym," Kristen Smith, president of the Undergraduate Student Government Association, said.
Molyneux also spoke about different campus programs that are available for students to help with adjusting to Drexel and reducing stress. For example, the learning center provides academic support.
Besides the learning center, Molyneux suggests athletics as an activity to unwind, as well as another Drexel program called CALMM, which is offered through the counseling center.
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