Stress in the life of a Day-Scholar student

Stress, a six-letter word that has now become a part of almost every individual's life. As small as the word may seem, its long-time effect can be very dreadful for an individual. I am here to discuss and write about the stress that college student faces, those students who travel daily to attend their lectures. We generally call them Day-scholars. Before shifting our attention to this portion of individuals, let us know what is stress in general.

Stress can be defined as any type of change that causes physical, emotional, or psychological strain. Stress is your body's response to anything that requires attention or action. It is the body’s natural defense against predators and danger. It causes the body to flood with hormones that prepare its systems to evade or confront danger. People commonly refer to this as the fight-or-flight mechanism.

As the American Psychological Association notes, 'college students experience stress at a higher rate than the general population.' Over 80% of college students report experiencing stress. College life can be challenging, with academic pressures, social expectations, and financial difficulties all contributing to a stressful experience for many students. This stress can have serious consequences for students' well-being and academic success. As a college student myself, I know firsthand how stressful it can be to juggle classes, assignments, extracurricular activities, and social life. I often feel overwhelmed and anxious, wondering how I'll manage to keep up with everything. And on top of that, if a student is asked to travel daily to his/her college, the stress level is bound to raise. 

The type of stress which such student may face are listed below:

• Time stress: Students may feel stressed due to the time constraints they face while traveling to attend lectures. This can include waking up early, rushing to catch public transportation, dealing with traffic, and worrying about being late for class.
• Financial stress: Traveling to college daily can be expensive, particularly if students have to pay for public transportation or parking. This can cause financial stress, which can lead to anxiety and worry about meeting expenses.
• Academic stress: Students may also feel stressed about their academic performance, particularly if they are struggling in their classes. This can be exacerbated by the added pressure of traveling to attend lectures, which can make it harder for students to focus and study effectively.
• Social stress: Traveling to college can also be a socially isolating experience, particularly if students do not know anyone else who is commuting. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and disconnection from the college community.
• Physical stress: Traveling daily to attend lectures can also take a toll on students' physical health, particularly if they are sitting in traffic or on public transportation for long periods of time. This can lead to fatigue, muscle tension, and other physical symptoms of stress.

Students who travel daily to college can experience a variety of physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms of stress, including:

• Physical symptoms: Headaches, muscle tension, fatigue, sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, gastrointestinal problems, and increased susceptibility to illness.
• Emotional symptoms: Anxiety, irritability, mood swings, depression, feelings of overwhelm or helplessness, and a reduced sense of enjoyment in previously pleasurable activities.
• Cognitive symptoms: Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and decreased ability to problem-solve or make decisions.
• Behavioral symptoms: Decreased motivation, procrastination, social withdrawal, changes in appetite, increased use of substances (such as alcohol or drugs), and changes in sleep patterns.

These symptoms can interfere with a student's ability to learn, retain information, and perform well academically. It is important for students who are experiencing stress to recognize their symptoms and seek support from mental health professionals or other resources available to them on campus.

A few techniques to level down the stress and manage it effectively can include:

• Plan ahead: Students can reduce time-related stress by planning their travel route ahead of time, leaving earlier than necessary to allow for unexpected delays, and using the commuting time to review lecture notes or complete assignments.
• Practice relaxation techniques: Deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or other relaxation techniques can help reduce physical symptoms of stress and promote overall well-being.
• Stay organized: Keeping a to-do list or schedule can help students stay on top of assignments and reduce academic stress. It can also help them avoid forgetting important items or deadlines.
• Seek social support: Connecting with other students who commute can help students feel less isolated and more connected to the college community. Joining a study group or participating in extracurricular activities can also provide a sense of belonging and support.
• Take care of physical health: Eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and engaging in regular physical activity can help reduce physical symptoms of stress and improve overall well-being.
• Manage time effectively: Time management skills, such as prioritizing tasks, breaking large tasks into smaller ones, and setting realistic goals, can help students manage academic stress and feel more in control of their workload.
• Seek professional help: If stress is interfering with a student's ability to function or causing significant distress, they may benefit from seeking professional help from a mental health provider or counselor.

Our brain comes hard-wired with an alarm system for our protection. When our brain perceives a threat, it signals our body to release a burst of hormones that increase our heart rate and raise our blood pressure. This "fight-or-flight" response fuels us to deal with the threat. Once the threat is gone, our body is meant to return to a normal, relaxed state. Unfortunately, the nonstop complications of modern life and its demands and expectations mean that some people's alarm systems rarely shut off. Stress management gives us a range of tools to reset and recalibrate our alarm system. It can help our mind and body adapt (resilience). Without it, our body might always be on high alert. Over time, chronic stress can lead to serious health problems.

Don't wait until stress damages your health, relationships, or quality of life. Start practicing stress management techniques today.

-By Saniya Sharma