Defeating Stress: Achieving Academic Baller Status without Popping a Blood Vessel in Your Eye

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Avoid the Stress monster:

I have recently come out of midterms and am now diving back into classes after a refreshing week of Fall break. Here are some things I really wished I had remembered to avoid stress (once you are in the bouts of said stress, very little can be done to overcome stress without augmenting to the rubbish pile). And hope to practice starting this week!

Notes to self (and to all of you!);

1. Make lists/ [Religiously] keep an agenda

Making lists keeps your mind on paper—this will allow for un-cluttering your consciousness. Keeping an agenda early on in the game[1] really helps you know where you are when and what should be done by that allotted time.

2. Exercise

You will not believe how powerful exercise is until you try it. Since I joined rugby this year (and I am obligated to go to practice three times a week) my stress levels have decreased exponentially and that’s saying something considering my workload.  Achieving a trip to the gym really isn’t that bad once you’re there—it’s the pre-gym contemplating[2] that’ll get you stuck. After a work out, eat then shower. You will feel completely refreshed and ready to work. The other great thing about working out is that when its time to go to bed, you can achieve sleep quicker because your body needs rest more than if you hadn’t exercised.

3. Keep a clean room and do your laundry!

These are two things that always seem to slip me by with time—and before I know it, I have month’s worth of undone laundry and a room cluttered with the things I can never find when I actually need them.  My room essentially turned into Jumanji[3] aftermath. Keeping a clean room allows for you to have a nice place to come back to, that isn’t a stress conductor. Having your laundry means having all your favorite and most comfortable clothes available to you.[4] Having that laundry done also subtracts time from that morning clothes-picking indecision.  ALSO—very these are very important in order to avoid getting creeping crawling things (insects, mice, the like…you know).

4. Take breaks

Do not spend three hours straight staring at the impossible reading you have to do and the paper you can’t even begin to wrap your head around. You are wasting time. I suggest taking breaks every 45 minutes—go outside, go to Uncommon Grounds, get a coffee, take a walk, meet up with a friend for fifteen minutes, and then get back to work. Your productivity will increase if you give it your all in shorter spurts. Its like…academic sprinting…[5]. Meeting up with friends is really encouraging because you can talk about what you’re stuck on, and you’ll also realize that you aren’t the only one struggling.

5. Find a place other than your room to study

Your room should be a sanctuary, a place you come back to for the night—not a room that reminds you of gut wrenching, agonizing stress that smells like a combination of anguish and Cheetos. No, your room should be reserved for relaxing and hanging out. You shouldn’t study in your room if you want to keep a chill vibe in your room—nothing worse than a room that reminds you of all-nighters, and anguish eating. So find a quiet spot in the library—or a common room with good lighting to keep you engaged.

6.  Do not anguish eat (but don’t undereat)

It’s important to keep a balanced diet. Eating too much, especially of the wrong kind of food, guarantees lethargy. Eating too little also will make you feel tired (your body will want to compensate for the lack of energy by sleeping). If you have a tight schedule the best thing to do is get a take-out box from the dining halls. And I know you’ve probably heard it time and time again, but breakfast will make a huge difference in your performance throughout the day. Not only will it keep you engaged, it will also start up your metabolism earlier on in the day[6]. A healthy diet in combination with sleep and exercise also means for a super immune system. Being sick sucks.

7. AVOID ONLINE SOCIAL UTILITIES AT ALL COSTS

Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, etc. What starts off as “just five minutes” turns into forty five minutes of Facebook stalking. If anything these utilities should be a reward—if you finish so much work in so much time, you get this much time of Faceebook or whatever.  Constantly checking your social utilities can really impede your productivity rate. Trust me. I know.

8. Hygiene

Just because you have a lot of work to do does not mean you should disregard your personal hygiene. It’s important that when you walk out for class in the morning that you feel comfortable and presentable. Keeping clean hair and smelling fresh boosts your morale and communicates to others that you are ready for whatever comes your way.[7]

9. E-mail

Check it only so often. Checking e-mail is an easy way to procrastinate under the false pretense of, “Oh! Maybe someone has sent me a really important e-mail!” and then this segways into using social utilities. No one has sent you an important e-mail since ten minutes ago when you first checked your e-mail and your mom will understand if you don’t send her an immediate response.

10. Develop a relationship with your professors

Ask for extensions. Go to office hours. Schedule meetings. These are all crucial to conveying a general message that you are interested and engaged in your classes and your progress as a student. Asking for extensions is a super useful resource weighed under the Noah’s Ark-load-of-work. We are not superheroes—professors will understand if you need more time to complete an assignment, just make sure that you are responsible enough to give your professor a heads up at least a day or two in advanced.

11. Sleep.

A senior last year gave me this advice; Go to sleep at a fixed hour, wake at a fixed hour. When I’ve abided by this, everything else seemed to fall into place. Even if you haven’t finished your work, go to bed at a certain time. You can finish when you’re feeling chipper after a good night’s sleep. Sleep also is a major factor in your appetite and metabolism (I shouldn’t have to mention overall ability to functions as a human being and not a zombie).

12. Mix up your study habits

Entertain your self—make your studying at least seem interesting. Add some color—post-it notes or those crazy midget highlighters. If you can, study with music mix up the genre (I used to hate instrumental jazz/blues….just sayin’). Drink strong teas, or write your papers long hand.[8] Try different techniques that accommodate the way you learn and study and acquire information.

I know that was really long. But trust me.  THIS IS A WINNER’S LIST!

[1] By this I mean, start your agenda the first week of classes, and make sure you keep it consistently throughout the year (not just picking it up with things are starting to heat up).

[2] “Should I go? I have so much work…I’ll go in an hour…” hour passes “I still haven’t caught up on my readings…and a problem set…” gym closes “Oh well. I’ll definitely go tomorrow.”

[3] Jumanji 1995 (Whoa there! Throwback…) Directed by Joe Johnston. Good times. I couldn’t find a clip. So enjoy The Berestain Bears. Skip to 2:56. The Berenstain Bears \”The Messy Room\” (Am I the only one who wonders why Mama Bear always wore such an unflattering night gown all the time?)

[4] Dressed for success doesn’t mean fancy, it should mean you’re ready to do your best and fulfill your baller status. You don’t want to get to the point where people say, “Wow! You look nice today!” and your response comes down to, “Thanks. Haven’t done laundry in a while.”

[5] Bad analogy…sorry womp womp

[6] An easy way to start combating college weight gain!

[7] Cleanliness is natural armor…in essence… (not herbal).

[8] At one point last year I bought a typewriter. His name is Claude, and he’s a 1969 Royalite. Also the love of my life (he really needs to have his keys oiled but I can’t find any oil! weep weep.

Being a ‘Mujer’

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I have had a crazy week. I’m realizing that it’s been about a month since the beginning of this semester—meaning that all my midterms are this upcoming week.  Strug Life.[1] It’s been a week since I have been cleared for Rugby so I can now practice (woot!).

There are so many aspects of Bryn Mawr that I take for granted. I was reminded of this several times this week, one instance during a Mujeres exec board meeting on Wednesday. As I was sitting there (it took me a good fifteen minutes to find the room—I never knew there was a common room in Merion basement…I didn’t even know Merion had a basement…) and laughing and planning with the board I realized how privileged I am to have and contribute to sources such as Mujeres. It was difficult for me back home, being part of one of the only Hispanic families in my town (and probably the only first generation American) and not having other people to relate to. After elementary school I became increasingly ashamed of identifying as Latina—after several encounters with prejudice and racism, and having the inability to speak out about them. In high school despite my shame, I took the initiative to start educating my peers about my culture (I ran a little annual shindig, an African-American/Latino Festival)—and while some of my classmates were really excited about it (they would come after the performances would come and talk to me regarding their experiences), others considered it a big joke. I had little support, and even some of the faculty criticized the effort.

I didn’t know coming to Bryn Mawr that I would have a complete turn around in the way I experienced and related with other Latinas. Mujeres is a setting where I can express my opinions (without qualms!) and just be who and what I am and learn about the other women in the group (you don’t have to identify as Latina to be in the group!).

Exect board members holding tight!

From left to right: Amanda (ME!), Sharaai, and Jancy.

 

Maybe I’m just overly psyched about this month (we are planning a ton of events for Latin Heritage Month!!!!).  And our frosh are so enthusiastic and wonderful and bright! Gives me shivers. It also gives me something to look forward to every week—it’s a constructive source of procrastination.

I am so privileged on this campus where I always something to fall back on. Not just regarding my identity. Seriously, if I’m struggling in my classes, tutors are readily available; professors are super flexible and will arrange an appointment outside of office hours. If I want to change something on campus or discuss a point of controversy, we have Plenary[2] every semester. If I need to talk to someone, there’s counseling and friends.  I think that all of this makes Bryn Mawr a very special community where we all have a say in what goes on. This is place where we learn how to make a system work for us.

 

[1] “Strug”—derived from ‘struggling’.

[2] Plenary is a session on a Sunday once a semester. A third of the student must be present (when this is so, it is said that we have achieved quorum). Students may present resolutions and the student body discusses their opinions and then we vote as to pass or reject the resolution. I know this sounds boring…but it’s actually super fun. It usually takes a while for people to get out of bed and actually make quorum, so we dance, watch YouTube videos, write haikus, play Plenary Bingo, a pick out raffle tickets.

From the Brunt of Shopping Week (p.s. Thank God Canaday is Open Until Two AM)

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First of week classes: check. Feeling of fulfillment and overwhelming self-glorification over my stellar ability to accomplish work on time and get things done: NOT APPLICABLE.
The first week was difficult last fall semester—but this I thought was due to the fact that I was transitioning frosh and couldn’t look at an ice cream cone without thinking of my family. This fall semester I realize that when the first week of classes comes around, circumstances are rough and pointy all around for everyone. [1]  Before coming from a somewhat miraculously successful summer, I made sure I had my classes in order—but of course, like with any other good ‘plans’ I make, they unravel before me (shaving down my pride, developing muscles for my Bryn–Mawr-Be-Brave face). I got waitlisted for two classes that I had pre-registered for—the two classes I hoped would be my release from the drudgery of pre-med requirements (I’m taking two labs–Chem and Physics as well as Calc…). I wouldn’t dread this so had I not been forced by fate in spring semester to take an English class at Haverford, regarding a subject that I was completely uninterested in, on top of the fact that I was probably the only frosh in the class (meaning that I was intimidated beyond reasonable understanding and I would not speak in class unless called on, which still fills me with terror).

I registered for another English course, and went to classes for the first week without any enthusiasm. However, after doing the assignments and devoting myself to silence the cynical embittered voice in my head throughout class, I think the class is great. Really. The professor is super passionate and enthusiastic, and takes everything anyone has to say into account (does not dismiss even the seemingly trivial commentary). The case of the waitlist easily resolved. And the convocation picnic and its sunshine and food and Frisbees deceived me into believing that this week would churn itself into butter.

I have also already managed to spread myself thin. After a summer that consisted of sedentary activity (besides my pilgrimage to Spain and Ireland, getting up to go to the fridge and when I’d volunteer at the hospital) I decided that this year I would be active, give myself a physical activity in which I can relieve all my anxieties by knocking people about. With that intention in mind, Rugby was the obvious answer. Although this in some ways creates more anxieties regarding performance in said sport as well as probable injuries that may incur severe spino-cerebral damage that can impair me for life or maybe even end said “life”[2], I think that it will keep me fit, as least physically and serve to be an efficient stress outlet.  On top of Rugby, (MWF practices, Saturday games) I am constantly disappointing the Mujeres Exec. Board but showing up late or not at all to plan and budget for this semester (which includes Latina Heritage Month; very important). Did I mention I work two jobs (how else would I pay for my Calc, Chem, and Physics text books and my Modernisms books?)?

And would you know it, that after all this I had no water balloons for Parade night?[3] Thankfully my faithful roommate, Mo, and her friends had some that I helped throw…the long weekend was a blur from the Step Sing[4] on.

The first week is also replete with post-summer friend issues (the straw that breaks the back; hence the tears that ensue into the second week of classes). The summers that sandwich our semesters change everything. And these changes are the first things we have to feel out and learn when we come back. Re-learning each other, re-learning ourselves in these different contexts. Learning that we are not static beings. So you can only imagine what it’s like to carefully (it’s important to be so when untangling these knots) wade through all the social issues as well as resolve your scheduling conflicts and decide what volunteer positions you’re going to apply for[5] (I opted for Bryn Mawr Hospital…still working on that) and how you are going to fulfill your gym requirements (and still have fun) and such.

Everything works its self out though.  And it works out in a way that allows for a new appreciation of hard work, hardly working, and for the new tides we slip into.

 

[1] The first week of classes is designated, ‘shopping week’. This is a week where you can register for five bajillion classes (n.b. this is an exaggeration) and go to each one, testing out the waters and getting a feel for what classes you actually want to take and which ones you’ll decide to drop. If a class is full, you will suffer the wrath of the lottery. Some students, especially those who have declared their majors, will get in the class, and others (usually underclassman) will get waitlisted. If you’re not top three on that waitlist, forget about it bucko.  You might as well drop the class. Or if you’ve got money, (which trust me, with the cost of books and other necessities you won’t) you can take Athena’s statue to a spa. But even then. Athena is a fickle lady so I’d say its not worth the try.

[2]  For after all, is this really life? I’M IN TRAINING TO BE A CORPORATE MONKEY—A SLAVE TO QUANTITY COMPLETELY DISREGARDING QUALITY! Okay, just kidding but seriously—pursuing passions is a difficult thing.  Completing more than one task thoroughly is a super power.

[3] A night dedicated to welcoming of the frosh. Sophomores are responsible for pummeling the kids with water balloons and spraying them with water guns. SHOUT OUT TO 2015 WE REALLY GOT YOU KIDS GOOD!

[4] The way in which we usually end our traditions, gather around the Senior Steps of Taylor Hall and sing and join in great merriment. Then we wish each and every person a Good Night.

[5]  I think that volunteering is pretty important. Another part of being a healthy college student is feeling that in some way you are helping—even if it’s part of your own learning experience.

*EXCLUSIVE* Summer Time Post (Oh How I Long for Those Summer Adventures)

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Oh…the strange travesties obstacles I’ve confronted this summer (thus far)…

After spending the last three weeks camping out in Canaday Library [1]and there, cultivating what is to be known as the great Canaday Gypsy Commune, comprised of my closest and most studious chums, I was ready to cheerfully depart with what I will one day consider the first of the best years. Frankly, I left BMC (Bryn Mawr College) with great expectations as to what my summer would entail—the adventures I would partake in, the sites I would see, the great projects I would take on, (the first-year blubber weight I would lose)! Surely, these three months I would bask in the glory of fulfillment and accomplishment without the constraints of school-year-obligations—perhaps these three months would not suffice in length to accommodate all my dreams!  However, the forces of the universe would not have this—no, Lady Fate made a mockery of my summer aspirations. I was wildly wrong in believing that my summer was going to consist solely of lemonade and having my single most difficult daily task entail the hunt for the most promising spot in which to bake in the glorious rays of the sun.

For starters, I was broke. This being a problem due to the fact that I had a long anticipated trip to Spain[2] (that was thus far, only half paid for) to pay for on top of the money I would have to save for fall semester tuition, and text books.  Being a college student so well learned in the ways of being constantly on the prowl for paper[3], I had secured a summer job at a learning center conveniently right across the street from my house (no gas money required!) , where I had also worked all four years of high school.  This job is fantastic in many ways, but the greatest aspect of it lies in the work itself, which is constituted in assisting four to seven year old kids acquire fundamental math and reading skills.  While this might be many people’s nightmare, it’s an experience that I not only enjoy, but also one that will ultimately help me determine my career path (I’ve been stuck between medicine and education).  So, here I was ready to make said paper as entered the center at the beginning of my second week home—only to find my boss asking me to come in next week, for at the moment she was “completely overstaffed”.  I dragged my disillusionment back across the street. As subsequent to most disappointments many questions arose in my head; Are there any guarantees that I would have this job? Who else will employ me just for the summer? But the most troubling of these, How will I pay my expenses? I decided I would wait for the verdict decided in the next week.

During this time I was also anxiously awaiting a response to a volunteer application I had sent in to the local hospital—an opportunity that would grant me insight into the world of medicine, and help me in selecting the career I want to pursue.  My unanswered application threw me into anguish, especially now that I had the time to panic. In my frenzy, I called the director of college volunteers, left more than one clumsy voicemail, I even walked over to the hospital and spoke to someone in the office who took my name down after informing me that I was, “in the system” and also advised me to, “call and leave a voicemail,” so, I left after pretending to be appreciative of her advice.

What used to be my father's car...

 

Fast-forward two days to the street in front of my high school. Scene; my father’s totaled car, a bumper-less navy Lexus, myself (bawling my eyes out) and two other Mawrtyrs [4] standing in complete shock as a police officer took down the report. That’s right, I had totaled my dad’s car. Completely smashed in the front my ramming into the car in front of me. Really the whole thing played out like a movie sequence; Happily driving to the duck pond to feed the ducks our unfinished pancake breakfast, Rolling in the Deep by Adele was playing on the radio, I slowly looked to my friend in the passenger seat, not realizing the diminishing speed of traffic ahead, and right there the loud pang, my air bag deploying, exploding in my face, my friend’s body wrenching in response, and then the hissing of my father’s car. After completing the necessary business, with the police, and my surprisingly calm father, we walked home. My parents took it all really well, reminding me that although it was terrific that my friends and I were intact, there were consequences, and in this case, the consequences involved paying the expected increased insurance bill. As you might imagine, I was terrified—not only was this another hefty debt to add to the list of expenses “to be paid”, but there was also no guarantee that I actually had a job that would alleviate these costs.  All my efforts at anything seemed to be in vain—at this point I was begging Athena[5] to toss me a bone.

Luckily my friends, I write to you from a better place, most of my “misfortunes” either resolved or on their way upwards. My trip to Spain is a paycheck away from paid (I cut open my kid piggy bank and discovered what a stingy kid I was), I have my job (for keeps!), and after much persistence many voicemails, e-mails, and office visits, I attained an interview at the hospital and a volunteer position in the Natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU; where most premature and sick newborns go). I knew immediately when I stepped into the NICU that things were looking up. Everything is feasible when applied to with perseverance, especially through doubts, fears, and hesitance. These babies in the NICU are the greatest example of this, that even in their minuscule size, they strive to live (really! Some manage the strength to roll over their crib bumpers and push themselves up against the plexiglass!).  I’d say all in all, the misfortunes of my summer have been blessings in disguise, all demonstrating the solid foundations Bryn Mawr has inculcated in me so far, showing me what I am really made of, and what I am actually capable of.

[1]  Literally camping out (interrupted only by 4 am WaWa convenience store/gas station runs)—this library is open 24 hours during exam periods.  This also entails an epidemic knowns as Canadaze in which one suffers from not being able to distinguish one day from the other, and shower amnesia (not knowing when was the last time you went to your dorm to shower).

[2] The trip is actually a pilgrimage known to young Catholics around the world as World Youth Day. The journey ends with an encounter with Pope Benedict XVI

[3]  1. Paper– Slang term for “money”.

“I’m getting’ paper.”

-From the song, Look at Me Now by Chris Brown

[4] A term used to refer to anybody attending or who has attended Bryn Mawr College :D.

[5]Athena, Greek goddess of Wisdom as well as Bryn Mawr College’s patron Goddess