Coping with Stress
Stressful Scenarios
Don't panic. If something unexpected comes up, look at your options and
make a rational decision. Look at these scenarios and think about what
you would do.
| Scenario |
Some Options |
|
Your friend up the hall is very sick and needs to go to the emergency
room. You have an important test tomorrow in biology; it you take
her to the ER, you'll be up all night and won't be able to perform
well--what do you do?
Remember, your decision needs to be based on what you know about
the professor and his/her policies on test taking; what you know
about yourself and how well you know the information being tested
and how needed your services are.
|
- Take her to the hospital and then do the best you can.
- Take her to the hospital and then talk to your professor about
rescheduling the test.
- See if someone else can take her to the hospital (other friends,
RA, etc.) and help her out tomorrow after the test.
- Take her to the hospital and take your books with you so you
can study in the waiting room.
|
| You are sick and don't feel well (cramps,
migraines, flu, etc.) and have an important test or paper to hand
in tomorrow. You don't feel up to taking the test/finishing your paper
because you don't think you'll be able to concentrate. What do you
do? |
- Contact your professor immediately by phone or e-mail.
- If you are seriously ill, call DOSO.
- Call your advisor for advice.
|
|
You have a paper due the next day and have been working on it since
it was assigned. You have your own computer and have been typing
away when suddenly it crashes. Or when you go to print your printer
breaks down. What do you do?
*Don't assume you can take the test late or hand the paper in late.
|
- Start typing the handwritten copy out and if you don't
finish it by class time, show the hand written copy to the
professor and explain the situation.
- Take the disk to the computer lab and printit out there.
- Call your professor and ask for an extension, if you can't
get to class early and talk with the professor.
- Check the syllabus for your professor's policy on late
papers and sick policy.
|
Signs of Stress and Medical Concerns
Stress doesn't just occur in the academic realm. Parents, friends, relationships
and jobs are just some other examples of sources of stress. Understand
where the stress is coming from and who or what is causing the stressor.
Also, understand the stress has many different levels and that it can
occur on a daily basis. Scenarios: roommate problems, friends, job, parents,
etc.
Learn to recognize the stress signals and then try to cope with the stress
you
are encountering. If stress is not controlled it can lead to serious health
problems.
Stress can lead to or worsen symptoms of
Physical Ailments
(due to the decreasing number of T-lymphocytes which decreases the effectiveness
of the immune system):
 Coronary Heart Disease
- High Blood Pressure
- Stroke/Muscle Tension:
(Backache, Neck/Shoulder, tense jaw, etc.
- Ulcers
- Tension Headaches
- Cancer
- Asthma Attacks
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
Other Signals
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Fear
- Panic
- Nervousness
- Impatientness
- Lashing out and immediately feeling sorry for it.
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