By Kourtney Webb
Entering college is an enormous accomplishment for students looking to further their education. But with higher education comes more responsibility. Choosing classes, working and figuring out what major you want to pursue to lead you into the career of your dreams is enough to stress any student out. A new study from the University of Alabama Birmingham shows that stress is actually a good thing and can lead to higher levels of productivity.
Stress is part of the body’s “fight or flight” response, which is nature’s survival mechanism. This is meant to protect you, not harm you. According to medical reports, low-level stressors stimulate the production of brain chemicals called neurotrophins, and strengthen the connections between neurons in the brain. In fact, this may be the primary mechanism by which exercise a physical stressor, helps boost productivity and concentration.
“I am a full time student as well as work at a daycare. Stress is all around me, but I’m able to take that and still get everything done,” Renelisa Guerrero, 20, an undeclared freshmen at York College, said.
Stress is usually thought of as unhealthy, but the study indicates that stress can be good for strengthening the connections between neurons in the brain and help a person become more productive.
But is it good for college students?
"I think I work better under pressure. You can't expect life to go easy on you so I think it is helpful if people learn how to manage it now." Said Kayla Rodriguez a freshman at York College. She adds "I think it is smart if students manage their time by making lists and keeping track of deadlines.
According to the latest update from the American Freshman: National Norms surveyed more than 150,000 students nationwide from the entering fall 2014 class. The survey found that 9.5 percent of respondents had felt depressed upon entering college. During the past year there has been an increase of over 6.1 percent of college freshmen who feel stressed out. Students who felt depressed by schoolwork, and holding jobs rose to 34.6 percent from 27.1 percent.
“Short-term psychological stressors can be a good thing. Some studies have shown that stress can increase your ability to memorize better,” Dr. Tiffani Elis, a psychologist and high school guidance counselor from Brooklyn, said. “This is why some students don’t mind cramming for tests. The stress helps them focus and not be distracted because they have a limited amount of time and an end goal. Not that I advise students cram for tests.”
Some high school seniors can transition to college freshmen with ease.
“I don’t find it too stressful yet. Setting my own schedule was different, and the professors have a different sort of presence, but that’s all I see as the real difference right now,” Marc Torres, 18, an English major and freshmen at York College, said.
Eustress, also known as good stress, makes you think and act more effectively to manage the situation better, according to research done by the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Alabama Birmingham. You are being driven and motivated through your stress.
Chronic stress is an overwhelming reaction to stress and can occur due to every day stressors. Chronic stress may seem irrational to some but for college freshmen who are not use to the pressures that come with college it is a very common response.
Elis added that it is important to take time out for oneself.
“Students who enter college think that they have to be in control of every little thing, which is not the case,” she explained. “You should create realistic expectations for yourself, as well as make a schedule for school work, study time and jobs, so that you don’t feel so overwhelmed. This makes you aware of deadlines, so nothing sneaks up on you.”
Stress only becomes harmful to your health when it becomes constant and uncontrollable, but keeping a schedule and carving out time to relax or socialize with friends should help ease the stress and transition to college life.
“There’s good and bad stress, you just have to learn to deal with it,” Torres added.
Entering college is an enormous accomplishment for students looking to further their education. But with higher education comes more responsibility. Choosing classes, working and figuring out what major you want to pursue to lead you into the career of your dreams is enough to stress any student out. A new study from the University of Alabama Birmingham shows that stress is actually a good thing and can lead to higher levels of productivity.
Stress is part of the body’s “fight or flight” response, which is nature’s survival mechanism. This is meant to protect you, not harm you. According to medical reports, low-level stressors stimulate the production of brain chemicals called neurotrophins, and strengthen the connections between neurons in the brain. In fact, this may be the primary mechanism by which exercise a physical stressor, helps boost productivity and concentration.
“I am a full time student as well as work at a daycare. Stress is all around me, but I’m able to take that and still get everything done,” Renelisa Guerrero, 20, an undeclared freshmen at York College, said.
Stress is usually thought of as unhealthy, but the study indicates that stress can be good for strengthening the connections between neurons in the brain and help a person become more productive.
But is it good for college students?
"I think I work better under pressure. You can't expect life to go easy on you so I think it is helpful if people learn how to manage it now." Said Kayla Rodriguez a freshman at York College. She adds "I think it is smart if students manage their time by making lists and keeping track of deadlines.
According to the latest update from the American Freshman: National Norms surveyed more than 150,000 students nationwide from the entering fall 2014 class. The survey found that 9.5 percent of respondents had felt depressed upon entering college. During the past year there has been an increase of over 6.1 percent of college freshmen who feel stressed out. Students who felt depressed by schoolwork, and holding jobs rose to 34.6 percent from 27.1 percent.
“Short-term psychological stressors can be a good thing. Some studies have shown that stress can increase your ability to memorize better,” Dr. Tiffani Elis, a psychologist and high school guidance counselor from Brooklyn, said. “This is why some students don’t mind cramming for tests. The stress helps them focus and not be distracted because they have a limited amount of time and an end goal. Not that I advise students cram for tests.”
Some high school seniors can transition to college freshmen with ease.
“I don’t find it too stressful yet. Setting my own schedule was different, and the professors have a different sort of presence, but that’s all I see as the real difference right now,” Marc Torres, 18, an English major and freshmen at York College, said.
Eustress, also known as good stress, makes you think and act more effectively to manage the situation better, according to research done by the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Alabama Birmingham. You are being driven and motivated through your stress.
Chronic stress is an overwhelming reaction to stress and can occur due to every day stressors. Chronic stress may seem irrational to some but for college freshmen who are not use to the pressures that come with college it is a very common response.
Elis added that it is important to take time out for oneself.
“Students who enter college think that they have to be in control of every little thing, which is not the case,” she explained. “You should create realistic expectations for yourself, as well as make a schedule for school work, study time and jobs, so that you don’t feel so overwhelmed. This makes you aware of deadlines, so nothing sneaks up on you.”
Stress only becomes harmful to your health when it becomes constant and uncontrollable, but keeping a schedule and carving out time to relax or socialize with friends should help ease the stress and transition to college life.
“There’s good and bad stress, you just have to learn to deal with it,” Torres added.