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Carrying
the College Burden
Continued
by Lisa Aichlmayr
DiNardo says there are no concrete methods to change a stressful life. Most important, he says, small steps such as keeping up with sleep or making time for oneself may help stressful schedules.
"If someone makes a little change, it serves as a model for larger changes later," he says. "But they have to be willing."
Hill says her parents offer stability.
"They're the people I go to when I have too much," she says." They put it back in perspective and keep me focused on what's important."
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"I just take a break and do something else. Then you realize what you're doing all this for " |
DiNardo, who has been a counselor at Kent State since 1979, says he has seen students face different types of stress. He says they mostly have high expectations and try to perfect themselves in all areas, including school and work. At the same time, they are developing relationships and deciding what they want to do with their lives, all of which are stressful. He says being bored and having no stress can be just as bad as having too much.
"People have to find that balance, and that's what college students are trying to discover," DiNardo says.
In dealing with stress, DiNardo says some people try to reduce stress by drinking or using drugs, but "those are short-term solutions that have long-term consequences."
For healthier treatment of stress, DiNardo recommends either thinking everything through or talking to friends or a counselor to find ways to reduce stress and manage time. People can find answers in themselves if they listen, he says.
"It seems to me that [the people who deal well with stress] pay attention to their bodies, and that becomes a feedback system and shows them they need to change," he says.
Dinehart, who belongs to the fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon, says at first the fraternity took up time he could barely afford, but later it became a good support system.
"When I first rushed, the opportunities were overwhelming," he says. "It's great. I consider it the best decision I ever made."
While Behymer was at Kent, she also found solace in an organization. She was actively involved in both Kent Interhall Council and intramural volleyball.
"KIC took away time, but it gave me a chance to get out," she says. "It was something else to do besides homework."
Hill follows one of DiNardo's suggestions and tries to prioritize everything so she can accomplish tasks with less stress.
"Something has got to give somewhere," she says. "It just matters what you pick, what's most important because you can't do it all."
But if she does feel stressed, she knows when to take time for herself.
"I just take a break and do something else," Hill says. "Then you realize what you're doing all this for."
Even though Shunk notices the difficulties students have in paying for their educations, he still thinks it's possible.
"For those who have a determination to do it, they will find the resources to do it," he says. "They probably won't go through without loans, but most people who want to can get through it."