Alice Mungyu ’19
Features Editor
Being a college student can be stressful. Most Smith students report that they have experienced some stress-related symptoms, such as feeling overwhelmed and drained, throughout their time at school. Developing healthy coping skills is important to stress management and can reduce overall stress levels. Be sure you are getting enough sleep, taking time for fun and relaxation, prioritizing physical fitness and health eating and practicing effective time-management strategies. Make the most out of your college experience and resources available by experiencing new things and getting involved around campus.
The Office of Student Engagement is dedicated to helping students develop healthy habits during their time at Smith. Their efforts include programming such as, but not limited to:
Arts and Crafts: Express your creativity with doing DIY projects. Not only do they teach you something new, they also improve your problem-solving abilities. Smith To Do offers late night DIY programs every Saturday night where students can participate in fun activities and ease their mind. It is also a great way to meet new people and build friendships.
Upcoming events:
Every Saturday from 7-9pm
Oct 21 Reusable Snack Bags at CC Garden Level
Oct 28 Yarn pumpkins at CC Garden Level
Nov 4 Sharpie Night at Davis
Nov 11 Slime at Davis
Nov 18 Terrariums at CC Garden Level
Dec 2 Heating Packs at Davis
Exercising: Studies show that exercise is very effective at reducing fatigue, improving alertness and concentration and at enhancing overall cognitive function. Virtually any form of exercise, from Pilates to yoga, can act as a stress reliever. Regular exercise can also improve one’s sleep, which is often disrupted by stress, depression and anxiety. Smith offers programs and services that can help you build a healthy lifestyle. Take advantage of Get Fit Smith, a noncredit fitness classes for students, regardless of fitness level. Visit Smith College Athletics website for information on the schedule.
Clubs and organizations: Being thrown into an environment that is new can led to a difficult adjustment. Joining a club is a great way to connect with people who share your interests and can help relieve students’ stress levels because it is fun. Although clubs are another thing to do on top of classes and schoolwork, they reduce stress because they are often activities that people enjoy doing-so it doesn’t feel like an obligation. You get to be a part of something that you enjoy and be invested in projects outside of school. There are all sorts of clubs offered by Smith students that allow others to try new things. From Russian Club to student government, or SGA, there are clubs that offer new experiences for students with an undying sense of curiosity.
