Survi"A"val Skills 101
Every student, from time to time feels the stress of classes, assignments, work, and life in general. Now, it’s not a huge secret that the life of a student can be fun, full of parties, and good times. What some students do keep to themselves is the sometimes overwhelming stress felt under the pressure of trying to perform both in class, work and socially.
Student services at Brandon University offers a plethora of services to students ranging from career counselling to personal counselling and degree counselling. Currently, Student services is conducting a free workshop series “University Survival Skills 101.” The program aims to help students learn new skills to succeed and thrive while at university. Workshops include “Mapping Resources, Chaos Theory and how to organize your life, Mind Wisdom, Body Wisdom and Creative living. It is the hope of both Sandy McMaster and Sherry Sawatzky-Dyck that the program will re-occur in the second term.
While this program is being presented in a new re-vamped form, Student Services continues to offer the many resources to students it has offered in the past.
What you may not know as a student, running around, trying to keep up, is that this service is free. Not only is it free, but Student Services is filled with a set of dedicated employees who are there to help you handle stress, life, depression and anxiety (and that’s just the short list) - so that you don’t have to handle it alone.
Common Myths
I need a referral if I think I need help. Fact - You don’t need one. There’s no need for a doctor’s note, or a note from a professor, you can drop in and make an appointment for yourself, and if you find yourself in a crisis, councellors will aim to see you as soon as possible. Often right then.
I can handle it on my own, and I should! Fact - Often, not only is it easier, it is healthier to talk to someone. New students especially, who have just moved away from their parents and find themselves in a strange place, away from the friends they were close to can feel safe going to student services, whether it’s just to talk, or to make a plan of action to deal with stress. Should you handle it on your own? Sometimes that is possible, but it is also completely okay to ask for help. It doesn’t make you weak, or crazy - admitting you need and want help is responsible, and something that you will thank yourself for later.
Marathon Studying and cramming works. Fact - Not so much. Not so much at all! It is a proven fact that our attention spans are not 48 hours long and able to survive sleep deprivation. Instead, schedule time to chill, time to play and work - and it doesn’t have to be much. You can take a break from studying, do a load of laundry - or watch TV, and go back refreshed and able to concentrate. Most importantly, give yourself permission to play, to relax and to refresh. Your marks will thank you later.
Tips to avoid falling off the proverbial cliff
Replace negative self-talk with positive self talk
BREATHE - not only does it work, no one else is going to notice that you are breathing. Schedule time for yourself. It doesn’t have to be much, but YOU are the priority, not school, not work, not studying. You.
If you think you need more help, go get it. If you are scared to go by yourself, or afraid of what people will think, rest assured, there are a million reasons people go to student services, no one knows why you are there, and if walking in with a friend makes you less stressed - do it.
No one else feels like me
Has a teacher ever said to you in class “If you have a question ask it . . . I guarantee you 80% of the class also has the same question.” The same rule applies to stress, depression, anxiety and any number of other challenges that face students. The fact is, you are sitting in a university with 3000+ students, all of whom go to class, have to hand in assignments and write tests. Just like you. Statistically, common sense dictates that there are other people out there who feel like you - and that’s okay. It doesn’t mean you’re crazy, it doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means you are HUMAN.
While I may have walked in the door of Students Services as a reporter, I have to admit, I came out of the interview with Sandy and Sheri with a million ideas about how to improve my own life. I can speak from experience when I say that it is a safe and friendly environment - one where you can learn, and one where students can be safe and talk about life, courses, school and work. Images from www.commons.wiki.org For further information, phone 204-727-9769 go to www.brandonu.ca, visit room 115 A.E. McKenzie Building, or email janzen@brandonu.ca *In the case of Child abuse, suicidal planning or plans to harm others, members of Student Services are required to take further action. All other information will remain confidential.
