Before too long into my college career, I learned a core lesson that every good college kid must come to terms with: stress is inevitable. To those still getting used to this ordeal, I would like to let you know there is still hope. The hope we find in the chance of having a snow day exists beyond the disappointment of waking up to find that the weatherman ordered the wrong set of clouds.
To better set up the need for such hope, let’s say it’s Friday. You have had an intense week with five tests and numerous other homework assignments. You still have an entire book to read and yet another test to take on Monday. I don’t have to tell you what your weekend holds if that is the case. But I will share with you a couple of things that have helped me cope when such weeks arise.
First, develop a healthy appreciation for stress. Stress, in some form or another, is often the driving force behind what we do. But having a healthy appreciation also means respecting its power to drain you. Ultimately, you determine where that balance is for you. But let’s build our scenario and say you also have a club function and two Spring Sing practices the same weekend. You go back to your dorm ready to crash and find your roommate has reorganized your stuff and invited friends over. In the instant before you snap, I would recommend praying for your roommate the way Jesus prayed on the cross. Know your balance and try to avoid over-commitment.
Second, accept that you may occasionally have to burn the candle on both ends. Once, my roommate told me the average person needs only about 3-4 hours of sleep to fully function the following day. Granted I wouldn’t try it too frequently, but the principle can help occasionally. Second and a half, when sleep deprivation becomes too much, develop a twitch to keep your blood flowing and help you make it to the next privileged naptime. (Yes, I consider this a legitimate coping strategy.)
Third, take some time to rejuvenate. It may be doing Spring Sing, it may be reading, sleeping, spending time with good friends, etc. You should know when you need it. But remember, college is not meant to burn you out.
Last, and certainly most of all, realize ultimate hope throughout all the stress is independent of the outcome. Whether you succeed at everything or just can’t seem to get it right, know that God’s love for you never fails. I recommend taking the words of that dear old hymn to heart: “On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.”
But perhaps you are the type of person who finds it hard to muster the motivating stress to do what you need to. Perhaps that is the very reason you are reading this, (because you have all the time in the world, right?). If that is the case, I’d like to offer an alternate scenario. Let’s say you’re sleeping when you should be doing something, and you find yourself dreaming of heaven. As you draw closer, it begins to snow. Hopes and dreams come to a peak as you approach the gates of the city, and you find everything closed. Why? Because the weatherman ordered the wrong clouds again. Wake up, and get to work.
