A new school year comes with new possibilities: academics, internships, friends, relationships, activities and experiences. As exciting as this all is, it can also become overwhelming pretty quickly, and we can get 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.听
Good stress vs. bad stress
The best way to handle stressors is by preparing for them. 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.
However, even when we鈥檙e prepared, stress can creep in. This isn鈥檛 always a bad thing! Some stress is actually 鈥済ood鈥� stress, because it keeps us motivated. When stress becomes overwhelming and impacts other areas of our lives鈥攍ike health and relationships鈥攖hat鈥檚 when it becomes 鈥渂ad鈥� stress.
Knowing how to recognize this 鈥渂ad鈥� stress is important. It鈥檚 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鈥攈owever it comes out, it鈥檚 normal and good to acknowledge.
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鈥攂oth for reducing stress and having a better experience at CU. One of the most important distinctions you can draw, whether it鈥檚 about a new gym regimen or upper-division seminar is in striving to be a high-achiever, not a perfectionist.
Perfectionism can be damaging to self-esteem, lead to problematic behaviors, and bring on a feeling that some things are simply impossible; high-achievers, on the other hand, measure only against themselves, and respect their limitations along the journey to reaching their full potential.
Re-frame your expectations using this distinction as a guide. Try setting goals that are within reach but still a stretch. Practice positive thinking, even during setbacks, 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 on this process to 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 on the way, you can always reach out. Whether you want to meet new people, find a job, train for a race, or make Dean鈥檚 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鈥檛 there, can also help鈥攍ook for them at outreach events across campus or visit them in Wardenburg Health Center and C4C S440.
Follow @CUBoulderHealth on and for more tips and resources.
