Title: A Student’s Guide to Managing Stress | BestColleges
Headings: A Student’s Guide to Managing Stress
A Student’s Guide to Managing Stress
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Stress?
The Effects of Stress
Behavioral
Stress Disorders
Causes of Stress In College
Managing Your Stress
Get Enough Sleep
Eat Well
Exercise
Don't Depend on Stimulants
Set Realistic Expectations
Don't Procrastinate
Find a Stress Outlet
Getting Help for Stress
Emergency Symptoms
Campus Resources for Stress Management
Off-Campus Resources for Stress Management
Additional Resources
The American Institute of Stress
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Veterans Crisis Line
Tuck's Guide to Anxiety and Sleep
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
GriefShare
Individualized Self-Care Planning Tool
Reviewed by:
Rayelle Davis, M.S Ed., NCC, LCPC

Content: Memory Loss
According to a University of Iowa study, increased levels of cortisol can result in memory lapses as we grow older. The study found a link between high cortisol levels and the gradual loss of synapses in the prefrontal cortex, which is the area responsible for short-term memory. Lack of sleep can also lead to memory loss. Loss of Concentration
Stress can impair the short-term learning and concentration sections of the brain. Negative Outlook
Stress can feed a negative outlook, which can in turn feed the cycle of stress. The Mayo Clinic suggests breaking this cognitive feedback loop by practicing positive self-talk to pull yourself through stressful challenges. Stress Disorders
Depression
Clinical depression is a complex disorder often caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and/or environmental triggers. Additionally, floods of stress hormones can make people more susceptible to becoming depressed. In MedlinePlus, Dr. Esther Sternberg encourages people to seek professional help if they are unable to control stress levels, as they might suffer from clinical depression. General Anxiety Disorder
This is just one of many anxiety disorders that can develop due to chronic stress, according to the American Psychological Association.