Category: College Advice

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8 Do’s and Don’ts for Freshman Commuters

Hello again, commuter friends!

This might seem obvious, but it is important to know that your college experience as a commuter student will be different from that of your peers. You will be driving to and from campus every day, you will not have a dorm room (who needs ‘em?), and you likely will not be eating every meal at the dining hall. Your transition to college will also be a very different experience compared to students who move to campus. Here are a few handy Do’s and Don’ts for your transition to college as a commuter. (Most of these also apply to literally every college student ever, but are especially important for commuter students.)

1. DO go to Connection Group Activities

Connection Groups are put together by Orientation Board right when you get on campus. They are small groups run by two upperclassmen for freshmen to get to know one another the first few weeks of college. They may seem awkward, and take up time that you may not think you have, but they are a great way to meet people and build friendships when you first arrive on campus.

2. DO go to the org fair…and sign up for things!

Do not be afraid to sign up for email lists of clubs that you think you might possibly maybe want to be a part of. Even sign up for clubs that meet later than you think you want to stay on campus. The worst thing that can happen is that you have to unsubscribe from their email list.

3. DO find 1 or 2 clubs or organizations to join

This is good advice for all new college students, but it is ESPECIALLY important for the commuter student. Because you do not have a roommate or live on a hall with RAs and 20 other people, it will be more difficult for you to build community on campus. Joining an organization or club (or two) is a fantastic way to counteract this and build friendships right from the start of your college experience. Take it from someone who has been where you are, it is totally worth it to stay on campus a few extra hours for a club meeting once a week!

4. DO come to campus for more than just your classes

This should not be unexpected, given point #3. But seriously, and I cannot emphasize this enough, COLLEGE IS MORE THAN JUST THE CLASSES YOU TAKE! If you only come to campus to go to class, then you probably will not have much fun – again, I speak from experience. Take the time to go to events at night or on weekends. It will be worth it! Remember, you’ll have to be intentional in becoming a part of the wonderful community we have here at Grove City, so just be here!

5. DON’T treat your classes like a 9 to 5. Have fun!

I know it seems like I am beating a dead horse here, but this is key. If you only come to campus to go to class, then you will end up treating your college experience like a job, which it is not. You are (most likely) a full-time student, but so much learning happens outside of the classroom, and if you clock out after your last class ends at 4, then you’ll really miss out. Do not short-change yourself by acting too much like an adult.

6. DO buy a meal plan

This was some of the best advice I was given at the start of my freshman year. Through Bon Appetit, the College offers partial meal plans for students who live off campus or in the apartments on lower campus. You can buy 25, 50 or 75 meals in advance. This might sound like an extra, unnecessary expense (not paying for room and board was probably a deciding factor in your choice to live off campus), but I assure you, it is 100% worth it. Purchasing a meal plan will allow you to get meals on campus with your friends who live here. It will also give you much more freedom in planning your schedule because you won’t have to worry about bringing your lunch/dinner everyday.

7. DO hang out with people in the dorms and Student Union

You can hang out with people wherever you want, but the point here is just to talk to people – build friendships with people outside of the classroom. There is a commuter lounge with tables, comfy chairs, lockers and a kitchenette located on the second floor of the Student Union, which I would encourage you to use, but do not just stay there! Sit downstairs in the Student Union where you can run into people you know and catch up while you are doing some homework. It could be as simple as that, or just chilling with somebody in their dorm room in between classes.

8. DO learn to manage your time well

This is another one that goes out to every college student, but as a commuter, you will lose some time driving to and from campus every day, so it is especially important for you to know how to plan ahead. For students who live close to the College, this is not as much of a big deal, but the further away from the College that you live, the more time you will lose driving every day, so it becomes all the more important to plan ahead. This may sound difficult and a little ominous, but it is completely doable. You can, in fact, be a full-fledged college student even if you live off-campus.     *Pro tip: use a planner!*

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Will a Small, Christian School Be a Problem When I am Career-Searching?

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One of the most common concerns I’ve heard from high schoolers in their college search is this: Will employers hire me if I have a degree from a small, Christian school?

I’m shocked by this worry.

I just started my junior year at Grove City College, and right now I have an on-campus, paid graphic design job. Today, I was called in to interview for another part-time position at a national business and technology solutions company. A few weeks ago, a company in Washington D.C. reached out to me to talk about being the ‘young voice’ of a six-person marketing team they were building. I also have a paid internship with a multi-billion dollar biotechnical company lined up for the summer.

I do not specify the size or scope of these places to brag, but simply to express that small schools do not have to lead to small jobs.

The company I am going to be working for this summer, I worked for last summer, too. To emphasize to you how employable a Grove City College degree is, my employer for this job told me I was selected out of more than 300 applicants, many of them Ivy Leaguers. Of the final pick of interns at this company, more than 85% were from Ivy League schools. I personally did not even encounter another intern without an Ivy League or next-to-Ivy League degree – except for one. Another current Grove City student ended up being accepted to this company to intern as well.

Now, this is an organization in New York, with no ties at all to Grove City. My application went through a lot of employees before I even got an interview. I doubt more than one of them, if any at all, had even heard of Grove City. It didn’t matter. Both the other girl from Grove City and I had secured internships there. This was a perfect testament to me of how employable Grovers are – in both Christian circles and in the business world at large.

When I ultimately did talk to my employer about why they chose me for my internship position, the answer had nothing to do with school. It came down to three main qualities they cared about:

  1. I did my research before the interviews. I knew what the company was, their values, and why I wanted to work for the company. I was able to express specifically why they stood out to me in my search process.
  2. I was enthusiastic. During my emails, phone interviews, and video interviews, my employer said it struck her how passionate I sounded about the topics we discussed. That was important to her.
  3. I had organized knowledge on the topics I needed to know. When I was asked questions about business, marketing, or management, I stayed calm whether I felt confident or not about the answers. I had thought-through opinions and understanding of the information she referenced.
  4. I was grateful. After every conversation, every question, every interview, I made sure to show my appreciation for the time recruiters and my manager were spending on me.

These qualities were far more important to my company than the fact that I was from a small school. And the fact that Grove City had a wonderful academic reputation served me when people at my company looked it up during the recruitment process.

So I encourage you, regardless of what college you end up at, not to be overly concerned about the notoriety of it. Be much more focused on how you present yourself to companies, how many jobs you apply for, and how many connections (and friendships) you build along the way. Those are the qualities that Grove City College nurtures in students, and in my experience, it has always been more effective to be kind, enthusiastic, and productive than it would be to go to a big-name school.

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The Subtle Difference in Messaging that Helped Me Decide on Grove City

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I am a Junior now. At this point, I know Grove City College was the right choice for me; however, I was not always so sure. As any student knows, we all question what college is the best for us. What do we want to major in? What do we want the student-professor ratio to be? Does the food quality matter? And on top of all that confusion, how do we wade through the promises to make life awesome that countless schools are offering us?

When I was in my senior year of high school, I struggled in my college decision process.  I have high standards for myself and big dreams for my future, so I felt a lot of pressure to choose the ‘perfect’ place. I was vulnerable, confused, and bombarded with messaging from all sorts of colleges. Every one of them tried to tell me they would meet my college needs in the ‘best’ way. Promises like these can be overwhelming and even tempting, but I wanted more. I wanted a school that proved itself worthy of my time, and a place that would allow me to grow both academically and spiritually.

Something major that set Grove City College apart was the fact that rather they refused to consider themselves the bearer of all my dreams. In fact, the stance of the people I talked to was glaringly different.  The stance here was—and is—only God can fulfill you. Only God can truly get you where you are meant to be. The job of the college is simply to facilitate and provide a platform for the influence of Christ on student’s life.

This was a level of authenticity and integrity that I had not seen among the other promotional messaging of schools I was looking at. It spoke to the heart of a question I feared as a high-schooler: Is my college experience going to be enough for me? Instead of claiming that they would be the ‘have all, be all’ of schools, Grove City College reminded me that only God could be my key to an amazing future.

Looking back, I almost feel surprised that I was able to distinguish this subtle difference in messaging at that point in my life. Amidst all the stress, all the pressure, and all of the uncertainty of being a rising college student, I was often tempted to forget how important the permanent things in life are—God, family, curiosity, being good to people, and so on. Rather than take advantage of my lack of perspective, Grove City College helped bring it back to me and continues to do so. For that, I am forever grateful.

As you continue your search, I hope to leave you with these reminders that Grove City put in my heart. Wherever you end up, remember that a college is not going to fulfill you. A great sorority is not going to fulfill you. An awesome cafeteria is not going to fulfill you. And they are not going to take you places, either.

Only God can do that.

So work hard, do right, and remember to leave the fulfillment you get from your college years up to Him.

Wishing you the very best as you continue your search.

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10 Insider Tips for Navigating the Dining Halls

Like every college campus, Grove City College has its own insider secrets, quirky trends, and unspoken rules.

When it comes to the dining halls, it’s a whole new ballgame. Dining halls in general can be a little overwhelming. There are so many food options, and it can be a task in and of itself just finding where the silverware is located. Here are a few helpful tips and some insider knowledge for when it comes to eating in the dining halls.

1. No trays. You’ll see trays available by the silverware but hardly any students use them. In fact, trays tend to be a dead giveaway that you’re new to campus.

2. Reserve your table with a wallet, phone, or ID. When you walk into either dining hall you’ll see wallets strewn across tables. This means that the table is taken. In other words, unless the wallet belongs to your friend you should keep walking. This is normal. At other schools, students may get their food first and then find a place to sit. Not at Grove City College. It’s an unspoken rule that you reserve your table by leaving a phone, wallet, jacket, or backpack and returning to your reserved spot once you have gotten your food. (Leave your belongings at your own risk, but we’ve never seen them get taken!)

3. Avoid going to meals on the hour. The dining halls are busiest at noon on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and during dinner hours on Sunday. It can be a madhouse and sometimes it is impossible to find an open place to sit. My suggestion is to arrive to your meal 10 minutes before the hour. For example, if you’re meeting a friend for lunch on Wednesday at noon, if possible one of you should go in at 11:50 a.m. and grab a table. This works because many students are just getting out of class at 11:50 a.m. and will then make their way to lunch. Show up 10 minutes early and beat the rush!

4. Silverware in the gluten free section. When the dining halls get busy, it’s not uncommon for silverware to be in short supply. If you find yourself unable to find a fork or knife, try looking in the gluten free section. There is typically a full stash that has been untouched!

5. Avoid stir fry during one-on-one meals. Stir fry is awesome. You can pick your add-ins, the meat, and the kind of noodles. However, because this option is fresh and made-to-order, it typically takes a while. If there is a line for stir fry this option can take even longer. If you made plans to get a meal with one other friend, save stir fry for another time. If you’re eating with a group, that’s a different story. Avoid leaving your lone friend hanging at the table by themselves for 15 minutes while you get your stir fry fix.

6. Get creative. Don’t feel limited by what you see. If you can’t find something that interests your taste buds that day then get creative! Here are some ideas!

  • Get grilled chicken from the grill line and put it on a salad.
  • Use a bagel from the toaster section to make a sandwich on the panini press.
  • Make buffalo chicken dip. Get chicken from the grill line, cream cheese from the toaster section and the rest of the ingredients at the salad bar. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and pop it in the microwave. Voila!
  • Pour sweetened coffee over ice cubes and half-and-half for a creamy iced coffee.
  • Make a grilled pizza. Put some pepperoni and cheese between two pieces of french bread (from the bread section) and grill it on the panini press. Dip it in marinara sauce from the pasta section.
  • Steam your own veggies by grabbing some veggies from the salad bar and putting them in a bowl with a splash of water. Cover the bowl and microwave.

7. Get the chili. The dining halls are known for having pretty good chili. If you see it on the menu then get it!

8. Cookies. If you’re in the mood for a soft chewy cookie in a variety of flavors, head to MAP dining hall for lunch. They tend to have a great array of cookies baked to perfection.

9. MAP vs. Hicks: Students debate which dining hall is better. It is really a matter of preference. Both dining halls are catered by Bon Appetit. However, there are differences. Check out the great things about both!

  • MAP
    • Amazing cookies.
    • Normally there are wraps during lunch hours, and they always have subs during lunch
    • Homier atmosphere, not as loud as Hicks.
    • Sometimes they do Sushi.
    • Fun kinds of pizza (ex. Hawaiian, bacon ranch, buffalo chicken, etc.)
    • Shorter lines
  • Hicks
    • Better ice cream flavors
    • Grilled chicken and burger options at every meal.
    • Stir fry
    • Smoothies and milkshakes.
    • Breakfast for dinner on Friday nights.
    • Bigger salad bar.

10. Leave your backpack outside the dining hall. Most students will leave their backpacks outside the dining hall in a cubby, on a hook, or sitting in the entryway. It makes tables less crowded when you don’t have to figure out where to place your backpack!

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10 Ways to Be the Best Roommate

After three years of rooming experience, here are my tips on how to be the best roommate. (Please note that I know for a fact I am not the best roommate, but my past two roommates have been incredible, and I learned a lot from them!)

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  1. Be forward. If you have a problem, deal with it right away. If she keeps knocking your towel down or never washes her dishes or shuts the door too loudly… it’s better to deal with it right away, no matter how awkward you feel, in order to preserve the relationship.
  2. Be quiet. If you wake up early or go to bed late, be respectful of your roommate. For example, this year I pretty much always wake up an hour before my roommate and go to bed an hour or two later than she does. In order to minimize noise, I prepare my bag and my clothes beforehand so that I can be quiet when the lights are out. Also, avoid talking loudly to your mom on the phone without asking your roommate first. Just try to be quiet because sometimes the dorm room is the only quiet place your roommate will have.
  3. Give them space. You don’t have to be best friends, so give them space! If they have plans on Friday night, you don’t always have to tag along. And if they’re feeling grumpy one day, you don’t have to make them talk to you. Sometimes people just need alone time.
  4. Invite them often. With that being said, if you can, try your best to invite your roommate before you go out. Ask if she has lunch plans or if she wants to see the movie with you. Sometimes your roommate will be too shy to ask if she can tag along so it’s your job to do the inviting when it is appropriate.
  5. Ask first. Before doing anything, ask permission. This includes but is not limited to: blasting music, inviting friends over, deciding to remodel the room, vacuuming, letting someone spend the night, etc.
  6. Plan a weekly roommate date. Even though you probably spend a ton of time with your roommate already, be sure to spend quality time with them! This could be anything from a movie night to working out together to grabbing lunch once a week. My current roommate and I grab meals together and plan hangouts with our other friends over the weekend. My roommate from last year and I plan weekly ex-roommate dates where we go on walks, eat brunch, get bubble tea, and more.
  7. Remember their birthday; even if they forget yours! Throw them a surprise birthday party. Buy them flowers. Cover their bed in balloons and streamers. As their roommate, it’s your job to make them feel special and a last second post on Facebook is not enough.
  8. Start a quote wall. Do not underestimate how amazing a quote wall can be. Mine is simple. I just took four blank pieces of paper and taped them to my closet door. Whenever something funny or weird is said, we yell “QUOTE WALL” and run over to write it down with a sharpie. It’s a great bonding experience.
  9. Introduce your friends. Again, you and your roommate do not have to be besties, and you don’t have to be in the same friend group. With that said, try to make an effort to introduce your friends to your roommate so that they don’t feel awkward around each other.
  10. Be flexible. In the end, flexibility is key. If your roommate is an introvert, give her some alone time. If she’s an extrovert, plan parties and outings with her! Just have fun and don’t take yourself too seriously.

Who knows? Your roommate may end up being one of your best friends.

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5 Easy Ways to Stay Organized in College

IMG_0199One of the biggest lessons you learn when living the dorm life, making decisions for yourself and working out your own schedule is the importance of being organized. The struggles of staying organized are amplified in college, when your schedule is full and there are never enough hours in the day. Giving priority to organization will only improve your day, as well as your stress level. It can sometimes be difficult to know what to do in order to improve your organizational and management skills. Disorganization often leads to stress and other negativity. It’s easy to avoid the stress when you have the right mindset and tools in order to solve your problems. Here are some tips and tricks to help you stay organized, avoid the stress and have a wonderful, productive year!

1. Buy a planner and use it.

Using a planner to manage my life at college has been my #1 tool for staying organized and on top of things. Writing down due dates, reading assignments and other events is essential for remember all the important things to do.

2. It’s helpful to 3-hole punch all your handouts from class and keep them in a binder.

The start of a new semester brings an array of important papers, ranging from syllabi to handouts and more. It’s important to keep these papers together and available, so it’s a good idea to keep them all in one place. If not, they end up wrinkled and buried in your backpack, or lost.

3. Keep your desk clean and organized.

Often times, the state of your desk is representative of your mental state. By keeping your desk in order, mentally, it can help you feel like you have control over your life, and that you have a clean and organized space to do homework and be productive.

4. Sort through and clean out your backpack once a week.

This is a simple yet effective and satisfying tool for keeping organized. Your backpack will be the main place where you keep important binders, folders, and papers, so it’s a good idea to take a little time each week to clean out the garbage and ensure that everything is in order.

5. Use the Outlook Calendar to manage your schedule.

Grove City College uses Outlook as its school email provider, which comes with a variety of features. One of these features, Outlook, is a great way to manage your schedule in an efficient way. Outlook can be synced to your phone calendar, and vice versa, and will alert you via phone notification when something on your schedule is coming up. Keeping up to date with your schedule, and knowing what’s coming up next is one of the best ways to stay organized.

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It’s a Family Affair: Three Reasons to Say Yes

Siblings at Grove City College

So your family already has one “Grover”, is there really room for another?

The answer is absolutely yes!  Take a poll down the halls of any residence hall on campus and you will most likely find at least a few people who are attending Grove City College at the same time as a sibling – some of them are even roommates. While there are often concerns of lessened freedom and stifled independence when considering attending a college at the same time as a sibling there is no need to worry – the decision to go to school together will likely be one of the best ones you make when it comes to your adult relationship with your sibling.

I am the fourth of my first cousins to attend Grove City College, and my younger brother has since joined the pack, too. Here are three reasons why you should say “yes” to attending Grove City College with your sibling:

1. No Better Comfort

There is no better comfort of home than a person with whom you are already well acquainted and have shared experiences with. While freshman year of college will undoubtedly be full of fun memories and wonderful experiences, there will also be times where you will be homesick, especially in those first few weeks. A phone call home and a care package will help, but there will be no better cure for this homesickness than sitting down to lunch with someone who you shared a house with for most of your life.

Even siblings who are not close to one another before college can find comfort in attending school together, especially if home is somewhat far away.

2. The Campus is Big Enough

Perhaps the biggest fear when it comes to choosing whether or not to attend the same college as your sibling is a fear that you will not be able to develop your own independence. That was certainly my biggest fear when my brother chose to attend the same school as me. It has proved to be unfounded, though. I thought that we would be running into each other all the time, unable to live separate lives, but that is not the case at all. I rarely see Jacob except for when we make plans together. I am sure that siblings of the same gender or more similar majors would see each other more often, but even if those things are true you will both have different habits and daily rituals. One of you may prefer to eat in Hicks and the other in MAP (the two dining halls on campus), or one of you will prefer to study in the library and the other in the Student Union. Even our comparatively small campus can create enough separation that you are both able to grow and develop on your own.

3. Holidays are Still Spent Together

Take a moment and Google the academic calendars of several colleges and compare them. Does each school have the same breaks? Probably not. If you attend a different school than your sibling you will likely both have off for Thanksgiving day (no promises about the days surrounding), and Christmas week, but that could very well be it. This is an issue that you will not have to deal with if you attend the same school as your sibling. Family time will mean so much more when everyone can spend time together – even if you are the second or third (or fourth or fifth…you get the idea) sibling to go to college, family time just will not feel the same if you go home and someone is missing. Even if that is not a concern for you – hey, it means that there will be one more person home to share the holiday chores with.

Siblings at Grove City College

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5 Simple Ways to Have an Excellent Monday

Here are five tips on how to have an excellent Monday as a college student:

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  1. Go to bed early. One of the best ways to make sure your Monday is a success is to go to bed early on Sunday, or at least on time. You don’t want to wake up groggy because you were on your phone until 2 a.m.
  2. Wake up early. One of the hardest things about Monday is trying to figure out what you have due that week. One of the best ways to stay organized is to wake up half an hour earlier than usual, grab your syllabus binder and planner and a pen, and write down everything that you have due that week. Waking up helps you to feel organized and productive.
  3. Start your day right! Start out your day with prayer and devotions. It will help you to maintain a healthy mindset throughout the week.
  4. Switch it up. Try to do something different this time around! If you always eat lunch in Hicks, see if you can eat in MAP. If you always workout at 3 p.m., try working out at 4 p.m. This helps break up the monotony that comes along with class schedules.
  5. Make time for people. It’s easy to get caught up with classes and homework, but don’t forget to make time for people. Even if that just means chatting with your roommate a little in the morning or hanging around during lunch a little longer than usual, people are good for the soul. So don’t forget to invest in your friends.

Hope you all have a happy Monday!

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I’m Starving: 10 Foods to Keep in Your Dorm Room

It’s 10 a.m. on Saturday, you’ve just woken up and you realize you missed breakfast. It’s 9 p.m. on a weeknight and your stomach starts growling as you head into your late night studying. It’s 7:50 a.m. on Monday and if you don’t leave your dorm room now you are sure to be late to class.

Whatever the scenario we’ve all found ourselves in situations where we wish we had something to eat but couldn’t make it to the dining hall. It’s during those times that you will wish you had something quick, easy, and relatively cheap to eat from the comfort of your own dorm room. Check out this list of 10 foods you should keep on hand!

  1. Tortilla chips and shredded cheese. It’s hard to go wrong here. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on some tortilla chips, zap it in a microwave for 30 seconds and voila! Cheesy nachos. Perfect for a movie night or late night studying.
  2. Granola bars. We’ve all overslept. If you’re running late to class you probably won’t have time to stop in the dining hall to grab something to eat. Instead, keep granola bars handy as a grab-and-go option for rushed mornings.
  3. Popcorn. This is a given. Keep some popcorn on hand as something to munch on. Just be sure to keep an eye on it. The fire alarms are easily set off by burnt popcorn.
  4. Fresh fruit. Sometimes you’re in the mood for a healthier snack option. On your way out of the dining hall be sure to grab a piece of hand fruit to keep in your room for when you need something to eat later in the day.
  5. Peanut butter or Nutella. They each go well with everything. Cookies, popcorn (yes popcorn), rice cakes, bananas, apples. The options are endless.
  6. Ramen. This classic dorm room food and for good reason. It’s quick, easy to make, and dirt cheap. Whether you missed dinner or just need a late night snack, pop a packet of Ramen in the microwave for instant noodles!
  7. Instant Oatmeal. A bit more substantial than a granola bar, instant oatmeal can be a full meal. Heat some water and pour over the oats. It’s quick and you can find oatmeal packets in a variety of flavors.
  8. Trail mix. If you’re looking for an option to bring to the library that doesn’t draw attention due to smell or sound (i.e. crunchy popcorn), consider some trail mix. You can buy it in bulk. Keep some plastic bags in your room so that you can portion out a serving to take on-the-go. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and salty.
  9. Pop-tarts. If you need a taste of your childhood, keep a box of pop-tarts in your room. They’re a good “anytime” option.
  10. Cereal. Dry or with milk, cereal is a good option for a meal or a snack. You can dig in for a handful on the run or curl up with a bowl on your while watching TV.

These essentials should get you off to a great start! Don’t be caught with a growling stomach and no food to eat. Be sure to keep a food stash well stocked during the semester.

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How to Deal with Stress

Everybody experiences stress. It’s not necessarily a bad thing. Stress pushes us to stay on task, to make good use of our time, and to be productive. However, stress can easily become unhealthy when it causes sleepless nights, anxiety, worry, poor diet, and number of other side effects. It’s normal to experience stress in college. At some point during your four years of college you may have several exams in one week, a class that has been challenging you, a friendship that is experiencing some tension, and a schedule of activities that is piling up. All of these factors and more can lead to stress. Know that this stress is normal and to be expected. The best thing you can do to prepare for those weeks is to know how to handle stress. Here are nine ways to conquer those weeks that are a bit stressful.

  1. Break it down. Look at your week, your assignments, your activities, etc. and break it down into baby steps. Don’t try to tackle five different tasks at once. Take it one assignment or one task at a time. Create a list of manageable steps you can take.
  2. Put things in perspective. While trying your best on every assignment, remember that perfection is not expected. It’s okay to make mistakes and it’s okay if you don’t receive 100% on that paper, exam, or homework assignment.
  3. Take a break and breathe. Do this. Take a break and breathe. For three to five minutes stop what you’re doing and try not to think about the task before you. Relax for a few minutes.
  4. Cancel your plans with friends. It’s okay. Sometimes you will need to cancel plans with friends to make more time in your schedule. It is never ideal to cancel plans that you made but it is okay to do this every once in a while. Remember: you can reschedule plans with friends, but you can’t reschedule those due dates.
  5. Talk it out. Sometimes you just need to vent about how much you have on your plate. Find a trustworthy friend, a professor, a mentor, or a parent, to talk through your stress with. It’s a relief when you find out that others have been in your shoes before or can offer some insightful advice. Some students go to the counseling center to get tips for managing stress and developing better skills for studying and managing time.
  6. Do something fun. Sometimes you need to clear your head for a bit. Do something fun because often you are less productive when your mind in consumed with worry and concern. Take a walk around campus. Watch an episode of your favorite show. Grab a friend and head to the GeDunk to grab a milkshake.
  7. Get sleep! Whatever you do, get sleep! And by sleep, I don’t mean a two-hour nap. Try your best to get six to eight hours of sleep a night especially during your busiest weeks. In my experience, when I don’t get enough sleep I am tired, exhausted, distracted and unproductive, all of which cause me to be more stressed!
  8. Pray about it. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Remember that God cares about your schoolwork, your friendships, and your busy schedule. Make sure to seek him first in the midst of your stress. Pray about your stress and seek comfort knowing that he will guide you through it and give you strength!
  9. Look ahead and plan Stress can be avoided. At the beginning of the semester gather all of your syllabi. Get a calendar and an assignment book and write down the due dates for every assignment, exam, and paper. Throughout the semester look ahead at your due dates and work on assignments accordingly, leaving enough time to do your work well. Don’t procrastinate! Procrastination always leads to stress.

Stress is inevitable, but treatable. Follow these nine steps to keep stress at bay.