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Stress

College life can be a lot of fun, but it's not without its stresses! These stresses can be physical, mental, social, or emotional in nature. But any way you slice it, they can be taxing for your mind and body. They can also have implications for your ability to engage healthfully in the social and academic spheres of the University. For instance, student surveys at Cornell show that the following issues are the most likely to have impeded their academic performance. How many of them can you relate to?

So what is stress?

Stress is the "wear and tear" our bodies and minds experience as we adjust to our continually changing environment. It has physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions, and can create positive or negative feelings.

  • As a positive influence, stress can help compel us to action and bring a sense of excitement or exhilaration to our lives.
  • As a negative influence, it can result in fatigue, anxiety, and feelings of helplessness, which in turn can lead to health problems such as headaches, upset stomach, rashes, eating disorders, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. 

We experience stress as we navigate our day-to-day challenges and responsibilities. Our ability to manage this stress is vital to our physical, emotional, social (and academic!) well-being.

Making a stress management plan at the beginning of a semester is just like getting vaccinated prior to the start of flu season: you want to inoculate yourself, as best as possible, to the volumes of stressors that await you in the coming months — especially around mid-terms and finals.

President Skorton Says

New Student Convocation
August 18, 2007
Schoellkopf Stadium

"When the pressure starts to build—with prelims and papers due—I urge you to find ways to reduce stress in your lives. Taking a walk or a jog through Cornell Plantations, exercising at a fitness center, spending time in a practice room playing a musical instrument, or curling up in a comfortable chair in the library are all ways to promote good mental and physical health. Or what I believe is the most relaxing and fulfilling of all—watching reruns of my speeches."

Feeling stressed? Try the some of the techniques we suggest on this site, or exoeriment with other relaxation exercises (download these free MP3 files to your iPod or laptop). 

Posters to Reduce Stress

Please feel free to print and display our Balance and Top 10 Ways to Reduce Your Stress messages. You may also order hard copies by calling Gannett Health Promotion (5-4782).