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Having survived three university degrees and now sending two bright young people to college, I learned how to handle stress at school.  It can be stressful, especially when you start and it is a big university, and you are from a little town.  It is a new life, a new location and a lot more competition.  Even if you go to university or college at home, it is a whole different setting and stress than at High School.  Fortunately, most institutions of higher learning realize how stressful campus life can be and provide ways to manage that stress, you just need to take them.

There are sporting events, they were originally started as a way of relieving stress, and can still work that way.  You may not be good enough to play on the school team, but there are intramural sports.  Get some friends and play some sort of ball.  There is basketball, softball, baseball or even the bowling ball.  You don't like balls, try Ultimate Frisbee or join a running club.  Getting exercise is an excellent way of managing stress and almost every college will provide ample opportunity to participate in some sport.

While the main purpose of attending college is to get an education, remember that there are several types of education, so mix them up!  Learning to socialize and relax is as important a life skill as some of those courses you are taking.  Once you realize that and start to go out and meet people, ironically enough your grades will improve.  Stress and pressure can confuse and block the brain, that is how writer's block develops.  Manage that stress by taking a break and leaving the computer behind.

If you are starting school and straight out of High School, forget drinking in the United States, it is illegal almost everywhere, but go out and eat well.  You can go with friends and merge this with socializing!  When you eat, your muscles tend to relax and you brain actually rests, and that removes most of the stress. Manage your stress by eating with exercise, but not over eating!

You can also manage that stress by setting up a time table and getting organized, it will put things in perspective and that will help a lot.  On the schedule, include breaks and fun or interesting things that are not study related, It is important.

If you don't manage the stress, the stress will manage you, and destroy your hopes and dreams.  Never let that happen!

Learn more about this author, James Johnson.
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