Unwanted and Unnecessary Stress

This time of the year for students is probably the most stressful and hectic. The period of final exams for college students is the worst time of the semester because everyone is trying to get the credits that they need to move on with their studies. The final exams of second semesters are always crazier than those of the first semester because school is over and closed before students get their grades. This makes life difficult on students because if there are last minute thigns that need to be handed in, or discussions that need to take place over grades, teachers are no where to be found. All in all, final examinations are terrible, but those of the second semester are 100x worse!

I feel like this semester has been one filled with unwanted stress and pressure, more so than any other semester in my college career. This is a product of classes with tons of homework and group assignments. Group assignments are the most difficult because students all have their own lives, and their own seperate busy schedules, so agreeing to specific times for meeting has been such a hassel. I think that I have consumed more REDBULL and coffee this spring semester than I have in a very long time. I needed these stimulants to stay awake during the long study nights in the library. This semester, soccer was not even in season, but the weightlifting and indoor games took up so much of my time that sometimes my grades were affected by it.

Stress is probably the single most detremental factor to a person, and a student in particular. According to Medicine.net , stress is defined as : "Stress is simply a fact of nature—forces from the outside world affecting the individual." Juggling a social life, an academic one and an athletic one, along with balancing a family life is so much to handle. There were many times this semester when I felt like it was just a huge weight on my shoulder and I was at the breaking point. To handle my stress, I would often go out for a jog or lay outside on the grass and stare up at the sky. I definately feel that when I get overwhlemed, being around people is something I try and avoid. People just put too many thoughts into my head and just add to the frustration. Stress, in my opinion, is one of the most dangerous "illnesses" that exist because it makes people do crazy things. When people feel like their back is against the wall, they will do ANYTHING to ease that pressure. I am grateful that my stress was over nothing major and that I did not have to do anything crazy to relieve that.

With the year comming to a close, my stress this week is still at al all time high, but after this upcomming week, I am positive that I will feel better and that I will have the whole summer to soak up the sun and drink ice tea by the pool. I have a nice vacation to look forward to and many ideas to make my summer an interesting one.