NDSU offers many classes you can through the Counseling Center. There are classes for students with all types of interest. One class that peaked my interest is the Anxiety Toolbox Workshop. This class focuses on skills for social anxiety, panic attacks, and general anxiety and worry. Anxiety is a very real thing for countless college students, myself included.
During finals week my first semester at NDSU I started having heart palpitations after drinking coffee a little too late in the day. I began to have strange chest pain and thought I be having a heart attack while I was studying for finals. The next day I went and took three final exams while still having the symptoms of chest pain. I then went to the NDSU Wellness Center to get a checkup. After telling the doctor my symptoms she told me its most likely anxiety. I was shocked at this. She started asking me if there was anything that might be causing my stress. I told her I took three exams that morning. That’s when I realized how much stress I was under. She ran an EKG on me to make sure my heart function was normal, and everything came back fine. The doctor said she could write me a prescription. I declined the medication and have since been able to keep my anxiety in check.
I only occasionally have symptoms of anxiety. Now I have a better understanding of how to prevent it. Since my visit to the wellness center I have made exercise a necessity. Eating well, exercising and sleep is probably better than any medication the doctor could have given me. Exercising is the best thing I can do for my anxiety. I rarely have symptoms on a day that I work out. When classes are getting more demanding and stressful, I make working out a must. It helps me in the classroom and holds my anxiety at bay.
It’s sad to think about all the other students at NDSU and across the country that have similar experiences to me and can’t do anything about it. They get trapped in the stressful world of classes, exams and living away from home. They don’t have the ability or know-how to fix their problem and it snowballs. Being a student is stressful and being so close to the world of adulthood can be a terrifying thing to think about.
For any students out there that think they have anxiety, there is a way out. There are ways to stay on top of your symptoms. For me personally, exercise is essential. If I feel stressful about school or work, I workout and often feel so much better. Eating clean is also a huge part for me. Just because your parents aren’t there to make you eat your vegetables doesn’t mean you don’t have to. Your body isn’t meant to function on pizza rolls and hot pockets. Sleep is also very important. Few things put my mind at ease like a full eight hours of sleep. I am no expert on anxiety, I’m just a student who has it. I’ve found what works best for me. If you’re a student who struggles with anxiety, take care of your body and your body will take care of you.
Ben's Blog 