Dear First-Year Boilermaker, At this point in the semester, it's normal to feel a bit overwhelmed. College is an exciting time full of new challenges that drive you to expand your horizons. But some of these experiences can leave you feeling stressed and struggling to manage your time effectively. That’s why we’re here to offer tips and resources to help you stay on course during your first year.
5 tips for managing stress in college
- Get enough sleep. Getting quality sleep for eight hours a night helps reduce stress and improve your mood. Plus, students who sleep well have better memory recall, enjoy a clearer mind and are less likely to get sick.
- Eat well and exercise regularly. Beyond keeping your body healthy, regular exercise and wholesome foods can help improve your cognitive abilities. Exercise can also help you fall asleep, thereby reducing stress. Keep in mind that daily movement doesn’t need to be strenuous — yoga, short walks and stretching can can provide quality health benefits and help relieve tension.
- Don’t rely on stimulants. Drinking coffee and energy drinks to fuel late-night study sessions will inevitably lead to a crash later on. That's because these stimulants boost cortisol levels in the body, increasing the physical effects of stress.
- Set realistic expectations. Having too much on your plate can lead to a lot of stress. Include study time when you are planning your week, and be careful not to overcommit to extracurriculars until you are sure you can manage your course load. It's also good practice to include some relaxation time in your schedule.
- Identify an outlet. Stress can never be completely avoided. However, finding a healthy way to relieve stress can go a long way in avoiding that overwhelmed feeling. Common stress outlets include exercise, spending time with friends and family, and listening to music. You can also try relaxation techniques such as deep abdominal breathing, doing yoga or tai chi, and visualizing tranquil scenes.
Want more wellness tips? Check out Purdue’s research collaborative Steps to Leaps for weekly well-being tips and other resources.
Resources for better time management
- Academic Support. Purdue has a wide variety of resources available to aid in your academic success. These include the Purdue Libraries, the Purdue Writing Lab and the Helen Bass Williams Academic Success Center. Visit the ASC website for more information.
- Time Management App. Shovel is a college planner app that Purdue offers free to all students. Shovel allows students to enter their classes, assignments, extra curriculars, work, and more to help create structure to your days and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Sign up with your Purdue email.
- Academic Success Center Handouts. Handouts developed by the ASC staff can help you stay organized, study for exams, track time, make to-do lists and much more. Visit the ASC website for more information.
Always remember to utilize your resources, stay on top of assignments and reach out if you need help.
Purdue Weeks of Welcome 🎉
Purdue Weeks of Welcome (#PurdueWOW) celebrates and highlights all of the experiences Boilermakers love about Purdue! Check out these opportunities to get involved between now and Oct. 8!
Mark your calendars! 📆
- Oct. 9 – Reapply to live in University Residences! Starting Oct. 9, you can log into the Housing Portal to sign a housing application for the 2024-25 academic year. For more information about Reapplication, click here.
- Oct. 9-10 – Fall Break (no classes)
- Nov. 14 – The Purdue community is invited to a free performance called "The Price of Progress," an entertaining multimedia theatrical experience that tells the Indiana Avenue/IUPUI story. The event, which takes place in Fowler Hall, will begin at 6:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m.
View the complete academic calendar, or check out this schedule of on-campus activities.
Let us know if you need help or have questions! You can also access previous emails featuring new student tips on the Orientation Programs website. Purdue Orientation Programs |