Hey
Seniors: The first major early deadline,
November 1st, has come and gone.
Those of you who had early applications made it through using Naviance
for the first time, but there was lots of panic in the Guidance Office:
“It says its STILL PENDING”
“Has
my teacher sent my letter!?”
“Have
you sent my transcripts!?”
Why
doesn’t it say COMPLETED?!?
How many of you heard
your counselor say “I’ve NEVER missed a college application
deadline?” (Ever, Never, No Never ever -- Never)
Some seniors
are still having nightmares about the University of Illinois application,
especially the self-reported academic record or SRAR -- seniors love
saying “SRRRARR…”. How many of you
waited until Halloween to submit?!
Seniors
shared some advice on how they handle stress:
D. says -The stress makes me very tired… Running and napping help a lot.
S. says - When
it’s too much I just stop - hang out with
my sister or watch a movie.
J. says - I have a cute magnetic board in my room with a college
checklist - I can see
what is
ahead and it calms me.
Stress
Reducers
·
Get up 15 minutes earlier
·
Breathe deeply
·
Exercise - take a walk
·
Take time for things you like to do
·
Connect with your friend - nurture those
relationships
·
Do something fun - every day
·
Talk it out when you’re angry
·
Take frequent breaks
·
Listen to music you like
·
Stop worrying about what you can’t control
For more (there
are 100!)
“Stress
drives all kinds of biochemical changes in our bodies: It instantaneously
increases our heart rate and blood pressure, makes our guts not function well
and creates damage to our blood vessels and organs.” (J. David Forbes-Nashville
Integrated Medicine)
“Since we are
unlikely to avoid stressors altogether, stress-proofing your brain is a wise
approach to our 24 hour brand of anxiety.
There are things you can do so you will be less reactive to a stressor
when one hits”, says MIT instructor Thea Singer.
Scientific
studies show SOCIAL SUPPORT is huge and helps us to not over react to
stress. The benefits apply whether you
are giving or receiving social support.
Volunteering is a huge stress buster.
Watch the STRESS
EATING (GW Coach!!) It makes you feel
temporarily better, but over time it wears down our ability to keep anxiety
reasonably controlled. Instead, read a
book, take a walk, jump rope.
Meditation is
great. Try Compassion Meditation, a
technique aimed at creating more empathy and acceptance of others -- VERY HELPFUL
in warding off stress, Singer says.
Notice
something good that happened to you today and tell someone about it. Do something nice for someone else. Science says this REALLY WORKS.
T.T.Y.L
GW
College Coach
(Check
out “Time To Do Reset on Stress” by Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune October 21,
2012)
