Understanding Stress
What is stress?
Stress is your body and mind’s response to external pressures or challenges. These stressors can be anything from looming assignments, deadlines, exams, or balancing tuition and living costs. When you experience these external pressures, your system responds physically, mentally and emotionally.
There are two broad types of stress:
- Short-term (acute) stress: This is the kind we feel during a test, a deadline, or a presentation. While uncomfortable, it isn’t always bad. In fact, short bursts of stress can sharpen focus, motivate us to act, and help us grow by pushing our limits.
- Chronic stress: This is the kind that doesn’t go away easily — constant financial worries, family issues, ongoing care obligations, or persistent academic pressure. Over time, chronic stress can wear you down, impacting both mental and physical health.
It’s helpful to think of stress on a spectrum: a little bit can be energizing, but too much, for too long, becomes harmful.
Why am I feeling more stressed out these days?
Post secondary students are navigating a unique set of pressures. Here are a few reasons you might feel more stressed than usual:
Increased independence and responsibilities such as finances, schedules, housing are in your hands.
Higher academic expectations. The workload, depth, and stakes of assignments and exams tend to increase.
Uncertainty about the future. Decisions about careers, internships, or further education weigh heavily.
Social and emotional change. New environments, relationships, and possibly distance from your support system all add layers of adjustment.
Compounding stressors. A financial worry today, a familial issue tomorrow, and an academic deadline next week can build, and when multiple stressors collide, they feel overwhelming.
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What can I do to manage my stress?
Campus Well-Being provides some great opportunities for students to de-stress and engage in self-care (read our previous self-care post here!)
Engaging in activities that allow you to move your body, connect with the campus community, and learn new skills are great ways to manage stress. Check out what Campus Well-Being has to offer!
- Sports and Fitness – Intramurals, gym membership, fitness classes.
- Recreation and Wellness – Yoga, dance, paint nights, board games, crafting, nature hikes.
- Mental Well-Being – Therapy Dogs, Cat Cafe, Peer Support, MindWell.
Thrive Week is another great opportunity to try out some different activities and learn new ways to de-stress. You can find the Thrive Week schedule here.