Coming Back to School

By Dorinda Lambert, Ph.D.

Ah…the excitement …the newness or the familiarity…so many opportunities for things to do, people to meet, choices to make!! And with the excitement there is also some stress. STRESS IS AN UNAVOIDABLE FACT OF LIFE! Normal stress keeps you on your toes and is not necessarily harmful.

Two quick hints:

1. JUST BREATHE!!!

Try this quick training in stress relief/mindfulness/deep breathing, called "RELAX...RELEASE...LET GO"
RELAX: Inhale through your nose on a count of three while thinking the word RELAX
RELEASE: Exhale slowly through your mouth on a count of five while thinking the word RELEASE
LET GO: As the last bit of breath is released from the diaphragm, give a little push from the diaphragm -like a deep sigh - while thinking the words LET GO.

This is an easy skill to develop. Practice using this multiple times during the day, even when not stressed to train yourself on how to stay focused/balanced so you can then use it later in difficult/busy parts of the day.

Hey….you gotta breathe anyway...it takes just a few moments...and you will feel much better in calming your mind and your body at the same time!!!

2. REMIND YOURSELF ABOUT YOUR VALUES AND YOUR GOALS

In the flurry of newness and excitement, don’t lose sight of yourself and your connections. Consider how you might
REMEMBER what brought you here - Write out a list of the good things (for example: people you hold dear, your past accomplishments or future goals, values that you strive to live by, positive feelings that you want in your life)
LOOK to where you are now - Take a few minutes each day to list out the things that you consider doing that day
COMPARE your “Today” list to your list of what brought you here and
CHOOSE where you will put your energy and time.

YES… THAT’S RIGHT
You do have choices.
And you do have support…from

Those people at home who have your best interests at heart,
Those friends around you here who listen and treat you with respect,
Those campus and community resources that are dedicated to you and your success.

TRY THE STEPS LISTED ABOVE.
AND SEEK SUPPORT WHEN NEEDED.

Enjoy the process of coming back to school, connect with others, take care of yourself, and be safe!