Managing Stress |
In this part of the site, I'm going to give you strategies on how to manage your stress level while dealing with all the different demanding responsibilities that come with grad school. We all handle stress in different ways, but even the most calm, collected individuals find themselves stressing out, doubting themselves, or feeling overwhelmed. From my own experience as a Comp GA, taking 2 or 3 of my own classes while also teaching 2 sections of ENG 101, I can tell you, I get stressed. Very stressed. |
Even though the stress may be exhausting, there are many ways you can cope with the demands of grad school. Whether it's going for a walk or joining an exercise group, seeking counseling or attending a support group or workshop, there are countless ways you can successfully get through grad school and enjoy your experiences while doing it! In the following sections, you'll learn methods that can help you manage the stress you may experience while attaining your Master's degree. Ultimately, you'll be provided with tips to help keep the "fires" of grad school out and learn how to ride that bike smooth and steady in a flame-free environment.
Developing healthy habits is a key survival skill in any graduate program.
Tip: If you find yourself feeling under the weather in anyway shape or form, visit the CMU Health Website for more information on CMU’s University Health Services, call (989) 774-6599, or just go there! They are located in Foust 200.
|
If you have ever experienced stress, then you know that it can take an extreme toll on both your mental and physical well-being. As we know, some stress can be beneficial to our daily lives: stress to meet those deadlines, stress to perform your best, stress to stay on top of tasks, but according to the American Psychological Association, extreme amounts of stress can have effects on your cardiovascular, immune, neuroendocrine, and central nervous systems. Stress may also lead to anxiety, depression, insomnia, high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity (“Five tips to help manage stress”). Yikes! Who would think that the amount of stress we put on ourselves could cause so many physical and mental ailments! But here’s the good news: as with doing things to keep your academic life in tip-top shape, there are countless activities you can do to keep your mental and physical health in excellent shape even when dealing with the demands of graduate school! Whether it’s listening to music, drinking tea, involving yourself with nature, snuggling your pet, or taking the time to breathe deeply, there are many ways to cope with high stress levels. In addition to these de-stressing techniques, here are a few clinically proven techniques that have shown countless times to prevent and reduce stress.
|
Heidi Ashcroft is a recent graduate of Central Michigan University’s English Language and Literature Master of Art’s Program. She lives in Midland, Michigan with her husband, Steve and their two dogs Rollie and Rudy. She enjoys walking with her dogs, snuggling with her dogs, and petting her dogs. She also enjoys the outdoors, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Central Michigan University respects the diversity of values and opinions held by members of its community. The views expressed on this page are those of the author and not necessarily those of Central Michigan University or its officers and trustees. The content of this page has not been reviewed or approved by Central Michigan University, and the author is solely responsible for its content.