Bridget O’Neil 2024
Techniques for maintaining a healthy college career
What to explore
Stress Management
College can be a very stressful time for many students. Utilizing on-campus and off-campus resources are beneficial.
Career Development and Exploration
Courses offered through PSU centered around career development can help students get a better idea of what direction to go with their studies.
Time Management
Creating schedules and routines to follow throughout the week are time management techniques that anyone can use!
Stress management
Facts and Statistics
- Information gathered from a Gallup opt-in panel of 2,430 students from a U.S. college, stated that 66% felt stress the prior day and 36% felt sadness the prior day.
- Purdue Global shared that, “1 in 3 college students experience significant levels of depression and anxiety. The effects of stress can cause short and long-term physical symptoms, headaches, rapid pulse, stomach pain, and impacts on the immune system.”
Techniques
Eat Well
You need energy to handle stress and create cells, which can be found in food!
Exercise
Any type of physical activity you enjoy can reduce stress hormones and increase endorphins.
Have an Outlet
Find a way to relax that works for you.
support system
Communicate with people you trust when you feel stressed, anxious, or sad.
meditate
Take time away from the stressors, clear your mind, and start with a new perspective when you are ready.
Counseling Services
Offer information of ways to work through difficult situations and other helpful life skills.
Doctor Therapist
Communicate with your doctor or therapist if you need help finding resources or are feeling stuck.
Advisors
On-Campus resources that can aid you with finding techniques and other resources that would work for you.
National Alliance on Mental Illness NH
Mindfulness
Becoming aware of your stressors and identifying ways that work and don’t work for you.
Journaling
Sharing your emotions is a great technique that can be achieved through journaling and other self-expressive activities.
On-Campus Services - Services offered free of charge
Counseling Center- Make an appointment! (603)535-2461
Need help now? NH Rapid Response/Lakes Region Mental Health Center at 1-833-710-6477 or 1-603-524-1100 (opt 9)
University Police at (603)535-2332 (if on-campus)
911 for all Emergencies
What is stress management?
“A way to calm your inner voice, critique, and anxiety producer” - Lynne Bates
Ask for help!
- Take a step back and re-evaluate
- Say, “NO”
“Being self-aware of your emotions and learning when you need to take a break” -Melissa Ulery
Exploring alternative ways to manage stressors
Explore new hobbies!
- Spend time caring for yourself to prevent burnout
- Maintain supportive relationships
There are techniques for managing stress that can work for all!
- Hiking, swimming, running
- Reading, talking, writing
Courses to take here at PSU related to stress management:
Mind Body Techniques for Stress and Health
Creating Healthy Habits Through Adventure
Meditative Drawing
Wellness Choices for a Healthy Active Lifestyle
Developing A Resilient Mindset
Career Development and exploration
Career exploration is a very important skill to possess especially when you want a job that will make you happy. It is important to remember to not confine yourself to one major, you can always change it. Most people change occupations several times in their lives, don’t worry if you want to change as well. Experience is one of the best ways to learn what you like and dislike when is comes to jobs, employers, benefits, salary, hours, etc.
What is career Exploration?
“The process of learning about career paths, job functions, industries, fields, and roles to help clarify your professional interests, goals and aspirations,”
Planning for the next step can be hard
- This is a great tool to use when seeking a job for income but joy as well
“Career exploration can be a lifelong event, it is an ongoing process that requires self-reflection on your collective experiences”
Begin exploring career paths early!
- Take courses early in your college career to benefit the most from them
“Reflect on what matters to you, what your priorities are, and take action accordingly”
Reflect on what matters to you!
- Start with what you know you like
- Build off of that until you find your calling
https://lsa.umich.edu/opportunityhub/news-events/all-news/student-news/What-is-career-exploration-and-why-does-it-matter.html
Exploration Resources
Career Fairs
Online Career Assesment Tools
Online exploration sites:
Courses to take here at PSU related to career development:
Career Counseling and Development
Professional Practice: Career Preparation in Art
Career Exploration
Career Development
Time management
“Don’t let a hectic schedule get the best of you with these time management tips”
Time Management can be hard to get a handle on, especially in college when you are trying to balance finances, class schedules, upcoming due dates, exams, family gatherings, and friends.
Creating a calendar is one of the best ways to manage your time and stay on top of upcoming due dates. Visually seeing what you have coming up will help prepare you for the actual day. This can be done online through a handful of different apps and sites specifically made for time management: Google Calendar, Outlook Calendar, any calendar that works for you.
Tips to Budgeting
Create a monthly Budget
- Track your spending throughout the month
- Identify needs and wants and set budgets for yourself
Set realistic Goals
- Set financial goals you can achieve
- Break them down into manageable steps
Productivity Tools
- Many apps can help with planning, managing time, keeping track of dates, and staying motivated
https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/8-time-management-tips-for-students/
Tips and Tricks
Set reminders
With any upcoming events, set a reminder to keep yourself on track and up to date.
Make a personalized schedule
Maximize your time by creating a schedule that works for you that includes your class schedule, work schedule, study plans, due dates, etc.
Prioritize Tasks
When you feel overwhelmed and stuck, take a step back and identify what needs to be completed first. This will make the next tasks easier to complete without stressing.
Take time for yourself!
Self care is the best way to ease your mind and prepare for future tasks!
About me
My major
I am an Interdisciplinary Studies student, focusing on Social Work and Psychology.
Throughout my 4 years at PSU, I
changed my major 4 times, finally landing in IDS.
I have been exploring many different career paths this past semester and have been able to narrow down my likes and dislikes.
My goal
I hope to find an occupation that not only fits in with my majors but also brings me joy.
I want to land somewhere I don’t feel trapped or held down by others, ideally something more hands-on and working with other individuals.
I want to continue exploring my opportunities, and IDS helped me reach that point.
My Portfolio
I have my portfolio attached here with a handful of past papers.
Some relate to stress management, career development, time management, and budgeting techniques, while others relate to other topics I am interested in and have done research on.
