A new school year comes with new classes, internships, friends, relationships, activities and more. As exciting as this all is, it can also become overwhelming, and we can feel trapped by the weight of our own expectations.
Prioritizing, re-shaping thinking patterns, and learning how to resource are the first steps toward having a successful and healthy year.
Good stress vs. bad stress
The best way to handle stress is by preparing for it. Time-management skills like planning your schedule, keeping to-do lists and breaking up big assignments into smaller tasks will keep you on track and help you avoid the side effects of a last-minute panic.
Even when we’re prepared, of course, stress can still creep in. This isn’t always a bad thing! Some stress is actually “good” stress because it keeps us motivated. When stress becomes overwhelming and impacts other areas of our lives—such as health and relationships—that’s when it becomes “bad” stress.
Knowing how to recognize this bad stress is important. It’s different for everyone: Some may experience it as irritability and moodiness; others may have trouble sleeping or feel nauseated; others may experience anxiety or panic attacks—however it comes out, it’s normal.
Stress management
Finding ways to deal with this stress will also make it easier to move on and keep your motivation up. Try different techniques to relieve the pressure and see what works best for you.
Positive psychology research indicates that physical activity, getting some fresh air and sunshine, laughing, meditating, deep breathing, talking things out with a friend and asking for help when you need it can all reduce stress and improve outlook.
Perfectionism vs. high-achieving
It's important to address your expectations, too, both for reducing stress and having a better experience at CU Boulder. One of the most important distinctions you can draw, whether it’s about a new gym routine or a class, is striving to be a high-achiever and not a perfectionist.
Perfectionism can be damaging to self-esteem, lead to problematic behaviors and bring on a feeling that things are impossible; high-achievers, on the other hand, measure only against themselves and respect their limitations along the journey to reaching their full potential.
Reframe your expectations using this distinction as a guide. Try setting goals that are within reach but still a stretch. Practice positive thinking, and learn to react positively to constructive feedback. And enjoy the process not just the outcome: A lot of our growth happens on the way to our goals.
Health and success
Keeping up with your health is also important, as it allows you to continue achieving your goals. Prioritize things like getting enough sleep, eating balanced meals regularly, making time for the activities you like doing and forming positive relationships.
Taking care of yourself through stress management, keeping a realistic perspective and prioritizing your wellness will make the path to success a lot smoother. And, when you need some help along the way, you can always reach out. Whether you want to meet new people, find a job, train for a race, or make Dean’s List, there are resources at CU to support you.
If the stress of expectations ever becomes too much or the balance of goals and wellness just isn’t there, Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) can also help—look for them at outreach events across campus or visit them at Wardenburg Health Center and Center for Community (C4C) room S440.
All fee-paying students are entitled to free, unlimited groups and workshops through CAPS, as well, on topics from procrastination and productivity to meditation and stress management.
Follow @CUBoulderHealth on Facebook and Twitter for more tips and resources.
