By Dakota Rose
College years are as stressful as they are exciting — a time to grow. Beyond academics, we learn about ourselves and how to thrive in society. As the semester ends, mindfulness becomes vital for managing stress.
Mindful.org defines it as “the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.”
If we’re stressed and distracted, we’re not fully present, which can lead to mistakes and overlooked assignments. Mindfulness helps us focus, prioritize and maintain healthy relationships, reducing unhealthy stress.
Monse Rodriguez, a senior at SMU, balances work and downtime. “It’s work hard play hard for me. Alone time is important too,” she says. Taking breaks with friends or alone helps de-stress after a long day.
Another student shared, “Sometimes I get so involved with school, I don’t know how to relax.” Tools like the free Calm app offer white noise, guided meditations and activities for focus and relaxation, helping transition between study and downtime.
Mindfulness also means unplugging. Stretching and focusing on your breath can lower anxiety and clear your mind. The Human Performance Resource Center provides a short guide to movements that reduce stress. Once you read the information, you can close your computer and practice the exercises on your own.
Journaling is another option. “Journaling can just feel really time-consuming,” says a junior at SMU. Mindfulness comes in all shapes and forms, so even jotting down three things you’re grateful for daily can be impactful. Health coach Brooke Gordon suggests that expressing gratitude in a joy journal boosts mood and releases subconscious stress.
So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, try mindfulness. It deepens your connection with yourself and improves life socially and academically.
