illustration by Alexandra Cortez-Cortez
By Alexandra Cortez-Cortez
Being stressed about homework can feel like carrying a heavy weight that never seems to come to an end. Your mind is racing with deadlines, and even when you try to unwind, it keeps reminding you of incomplete work and upcoming tests.
Students at William Peace University were given a series of stress-related questions as part of a recent informal study to understand how Pacers manage academic and personal pressures.
Anais Cruz, a first-year biology major, copes with stress in different ways.
“It depends. Sometimes I just like to ignore it, push it in the back of my mind, or sometimes I just zone out for an hour,” said Cruz.
Depending on how stressed they are, most Pacers reported that their stress might last anywhere from a few days to weeks or months.
Between deadlines and outside responsibilities, many students admitted they have reached a breaking point at least once.
Some students experience stress constantly, while others experience it sometimes, based on their situation.
Many struggle to manage their responsibilities, leaving little time for themselves, and they feel anxious between tests and important deadlines halfway through the semester.
“There have been moments when I felt burned out. I’m getting an overload of assignments, and there isn’t a weekend where I don’t have any homework,” said Melissa Cortez-Cortez, a first-year psychology major.
Work, school, and other obligations can lead to stress in a variety of ways. Everyone has experienced stress, but it may look different depending on the person.
When Pacers experience stress in the classroom, it eventually spreads to the end of the day when they have to balance work and or sports.
Some usually allow themselves to experience emotions as a coping mechanism for stress.
“I usually cry and take a nap and then wake up and am ready to commit to getting whatever I need to get done, done,” said Samantha Perez-Gonzalez, a first-year Exercise and Sports Science major.
According to the informal survey, Desiree Staggers, a first-year communication major, reported her experiences with stress.
“Stress comes from work, school, sports, family/relationships”.
Pacers are more concerned about completing their schoolwork, like Oscar Medine-Carrillo, a first-year Simulation and Game Design major.
“I am overwhelmed with assignments from school and exams.”
Personal interactions and family expectations can have an impact on everyday life, which makes students anxious about succeeding.
Performing well in every area without falling behind is the true difficulty, not merely finishing tasks. At that point, they begin to stress.
Drawing, gaming, modeling, talking to friends or family, taking walks, journaling, and reading the Bible are some of the ways Pacers cope with stress.
“The first semester was the most stressful because I didn’t know what to expect. Now I know what the professor expects from me,” said Cruz.
Managing stress has become an essential skill when it comes to college, learning how to handle or cope with it.
Understanding how to manage your emotions helps reduce your stress levels and balance your time between work, school, and athletics.
While in college, Pacers manage stress and take advantage of growth opportunities. Students describe moments of feeling overwhelmed, worried that there isn’t enough time to get everything done, along with the pressure to do well and avoid mistakes.
Every stressful situation is an opportunity to grow stronger.