Tag Archives: Millersville

Student Life

True or False: How Much Do You Know About Millersville’s History?

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Think you know a lot about Millersville University? Test your knowledge by trying to answer the following true or false questions about MU! If you don’t know much about Millersville’s history, then keep reading for some interesting facts that you’ve probably never heard before and that you can impress your friends with.

All facts and information provided in this blog post are from the book “We Sing to Thee: A History of Millersville University” written by Dr. Dennis Downey, retired professor of history and former Director of the Millersville Honors program.

1. Millersville University was established in 1855, but was not named “Millersville University” until 1983.

TRUE! Millersville University was previously known as the “Lancaster County Normal School” and was renamed the “Millersville State Normal School” in 1859. The name was changed again in 1927 to “Millersville State Teachers College,” but once it started offering baccalaureate degrees, it became “Millersville State College” in 1959. Finally, the school was named “Millersville University” in 1983.

2. Millersville University’s yearbooks were originally entitled “The Wickersham”.

TRUE! The first yearbook was published in 1899 and was titled “The Wickersham” until 1901 when it was changed to “The Millersvillian.” It was changed for the last time (as of right now) in 1909 to “The Touchstone.”

3. After World War II, the return of veterans as well as the baby boom caused Millersville University’s (known as “Millersville State Teachers College” at the time) student population to double in size. 

FALSE! The student population actually tripled to more than 700 students within two years following World War II. Veterans were excited about the benefits of receiving an education and the opportunities it would provide for their families. 

4. The first study abroad opportunity was for Marburg, Germany, and was offered to German-language students starting in 1963. 

TRUE! This study abroad experience paved the way for other study abroad opportunities in places such as Great Britain, Ireland, China, and Eastern Europe.

5. Millersville University officially opened on August 17, 1855.

FALSE! Millersville University (then known as the “Lancaster County Normal School”) opened in the borough of Millersville on April 17, 1855, not August 17. Nearly 150 students enrolled in the school which was established as a three-month institute for teacher training. Lancaster County Normal School was actually the first normal school in Pennsylvania! 

6. In the year 1860, almost 80% of the student population was female. 

FALSE! In 1860, 341 of the 443 total number of students enrolled were men, and the remaining 102 students were female. In 1890, the trend of more male students than female students had stopped, and the number of male versus female enrollments was fairly equal. In 1895, there were 590 female students enrolled and 533 male students enrolled, making it the first year since 1856 that there were more female students than male students. 

How many of these facts did you know? Let us know in the comments!

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Academics, Advice

Should You Declare a Minor?

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In college, your major is your main focus as far as academics go; it’s what most of your courses are based around and it’s what you’ll receive a degree in. Picking a major can be challenging, especially if you have multiple interests. Fortunately, if you’re interested in a certain subject but don’t want to make it your major, you can minor in it! Minors are a great way to increase your knowledge on a subject, whether that subject ties into your major or if it’s just something you’d like to know more about.

Here is some advice that will help guide your decision of whether or not adding a minor is the right choice for you:

Minors have certain requirements that need to be fulfilled just like majors do. Click here to view the list of minors Millersville offers and their requirements. Your advisor is a great resource to go to with any questions about minors. It’s also important to talk to your advisor when considering a minor to make sure you are actually eligible to minor in that field. For example, a Business Administration major with a concentration in Marketing cannot minor in Management. They would instead have to add management as a second concentration. Before you meet with your advisor, I’d recommend doing some research on your own to learn more about the minor you’re considering. If you’re interested in minoring in Psychology, for example, you could look into Millerville’s Psychology Department, the faculty and staff, and research the required courses to see if it’s a good fit for you.  Having this information can help you decide if declaring a minor is the right choice for you. 

Minors related to your degree are a good way to learn more about the field you’re interested in, may expand your job opportunities after graduation, and can help your resume stand out among other job candidates. However, don’t limit yourself to thinking that you can’t or shouldn’t minor in a field that isn’t related to your major – you can! Robert Kiyosaki, a businessman and author, said that the most important thing a person can do to help themselves is “to know a little about a lot.” Having a minor that isn’t related to your major can help you graduate with a more varied skill set and knowledge in more than one subject area. 

The biggest piece of advice I can give you when deciding on whether or not to declare a minor is to know yourself. Can you handle the additional courses? Will you still graduate on time? Is it something you’re really interested in? What do you want to get out of it? These are all good questions to ask yourself during this process. You may want to declare a minor to appear more well-rounded and hard working to employers, but standing out to employers also requires things like good grades and participation in extracurricular events.  If a minor interferes with these things, it may not be the right choice for you. If you already have your plate full with other courses and maybe a part-time or full-time job, or if you’re struggling to keep your grades up, I’d recommend making a pros and cons list to help you weigh your options and reach out to your advisor for advice. 

It’s important to remember that even without a minor, there’s still plenty you can do to make sure your a good candidate for jobs once you graduate. Click here to read an article from the American Marketing Association where two recruiters answer questions about things such as what they look for in a resume and how to get noticed, or this article from Indeed.com about how to impress potential employers and coworkers during a job interview. Of course, you can also still explore a subject area you’re interested in without declaring a minor in it by simply taking a few elective courses.

You can remove a minor at any time, so there’s no pressure to stick with something that isn’t working out for you. To add, remove, or change a minor, visit this link and fill out the form called “Academic Program Change Request”. This form was called the “Academic Minor” form until very recently, so if you hear it called that, just know the person is talking about the “Academic Program Change Request”.

Whatever you decide to do, just make sure you’re happy with your choice and that you’re doing what’s best for yourself and your education. 

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Advice, Lists

How to Set and Achieve Your Goals

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Setting and achieving goals is important, but can be challenging for a number of reasons. Maybe you’re not sure how to get started, or you’re having trouble staying motivated to reach your goal. Keep reading to find out how to set achievable goals and how you can accomplish them.

It’s important to understand why you should set goals for yourself in the first place. When you set goals for yourself, you set yourself on a path for success. Without goals, you won’t be able to grow and reach your full potential. Vivak Patel, Interim Director of Enrollment Management, says the following about the benefits of setting goals:  “Goal setting not only helps us achieve new heights and grow as an individual, it creates the blueprint for transforming our visions into reality. Progressing towards goals will create a path full of satisfaction and setting goals are your first steps.” Once you recognize that, you can start the goal setting process.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Take responsibility: Acknowledge that you are in control of your life and if there’s something you want, you’re the one who has to take action to get it. Knowing yourself and realizing it’s up to you to follow through with it will help motivate you to take those first steps. As much as I wish I could just snap my fingers and magically do well on all my assignments in order to reach my goal of getting better grades, I know it’s up to me to study harder and put more time into my schoolwork if I want to do better. Plus, reaching a goal through your own efforts rather than the efforts of someone or something else makes reaching your goal feel like an even greater accomplishment.

2. Recognize what you want to achieve: Once you have a goal in mind, understand the reasons you want to achieve that goal. For example, my goal is to get better grades. I want to get better grades because I want to prove to myself that I’m smarter than I think and so I can set myself up for success after college. Knowing why I want to reach a certain goal is especially helpful for when I find myself struggling on the path to reaching it. My reasons for setting the goal in the first place remind me not to give up when things get difficult. On the path to success, you’ll likely face setbacks that may make you question whether or not your goal is really worth it. If something means a lot to you, you need to work to overcome the challenges and keep striving for it. Click here to read an article that shares 8 strategies for how to not give up.

3. Make a plan: When goal setting, it’s important to understand everything that you’ll have to do in order to reach that goal. Make sure your plan is realistic and attainable. Try to make a schedule that you’ll feel encouraged to stick with. For example, if you want to become a vegetarian, it’s much easier to start incorporating vegetarian alternatives into your meals gradually than to completely switch to an all-vegetarian diet. You could pick one day of the week where you only eat vegetarian foods, then slowly add another day, then do three days, and so on. Remember that some things will take time and there may be setbacks, but don’t let that discourage you. Make a plan and try your best to follow it closely, but make adjustments when you feel it’s necessary.

4. Don’t take on too much by yourself: Dr. Rachel Finley-Bowman, Dean of Student Success and Associate Provost, says this about not overwhelming yourself and feeling like you’re alone when trying to accomplish your goals: “When striving to set and achieve goals, two pieces of advice immediately come to mind – (1) think small and (2) ask for and accept support. The first suggestion doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t reach for your greatest dreams, but recognizes instead that any large goal is a sum of smaller parts. Prioritize and focus upon how you can achieve each part along the way. This helps to lessen anxiety about the overall task and gives you victories to celebrate as you progress in your journey. Teamwork and collaboration also promote achievement and so don’t be afraid to ask for support or accept it when it is offered. Every faculty and staff member in the MU learning community are stakeholders in your success. Leverage our expertise and guidance to help you achieve your goals.”

5. Visualize your goals and visualize yourself achieving them: Once you have an idea of what it will look like when you reach your goals, you’ll feel more inspired to achieve them. If your goal is to participate in more community service events, picture what that will look like and how it will feel to help others. Visualizing your goals will also help you recognize if a goal is unrealistic or not. If you’re a student taking several classes and you also have a job where you work long shifts, you may realize that participating in community service events regularly would be a challenge and you can adjust your goal accordingly. Vivak Patel recommends creating a vision board to help with visualization. He says, “Create, print, and cut out images that associate with your goals and hang them up on a board or even your wall. Place it in your room or somewhere that is visible for you. Look at your vision board each morning. Visualization will help you reach the goals that you set and this technique is used by the most successful people in the world.”

6. Reward yourself along the way: As you get closer to reaching your goal, reward yourself as an incentive to keep working. Whenever I study really hard for a test and do well on that test, I like to reward myself by buying my favorite candy. Telling myself that I’ll get M&M’s if I work hard gives me the motivation to get things done. It also makes me feel good after my hard work pays off and makes me want to study harder for my next test.  You should also reward yourself because you deserve to! Working towards a goal takes determination and work. Reaching milestones when trying to accomplish a certain goal, no matter how big or small, deserves recognition and celebration.

If there’s something you want to achieve, follow the steps above to help you achieve it. Remember that the faculty and staff at MU want to help you succeed however they can. Reach out to them for guidance and support when setting and achieving goals. Comment some goals you have that you’d like to start working towards. Remember, if you really want something and believe that it’s attainable, don’t give up on it!

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Announcements

Fall 2020 MU Academic Resilience Speaker Series

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This fall, Dr. Ann Gaudino and Dr. Margaret Mbindyo have organized an Academic Resilience Speaker Series which features great speakers on topics surrounding how and why students can develop academic resilience. Academic resilience is the ability to overcome challenges and grow from them. Academic resilience is especially important now because of the challenges and disruptions brought about by the pandemic.

Webinar meetings run every other Wednesday from 12:00pm-1:00pm between September 9th-November 18th. Click here or here to register, or scan the QR code in the graphic above.

We strongly encourage you to attend these webinars to learn how you can achieve academic success and to receive support!

Resources

10 Quotes Reminding You to Enjoy Life

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Sometimes, we can get so caught up in the stress of our daily lives and become so distracted that we forget to slow down every now and then and enjoy our lives. College isn’t always easy and can definitely be overwhelming every now and then. That’s why it’s important to take a step back and appreciate the simpler things. Doing this will help you relax and live in the moment. After all, life should be enjoyable, not full of stress and frustration. Here are 10 quotes that we hope will remind you that life is short, so you should make sure to enjoy every minute of it:

  1. “When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” – Marcus Aurelius
  2. “The purpose of our lives is to be happy.” – Dalai Lama
  3. “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
  4. “Lighten up, just enjoy life, smile more, laugh more, and don’t get so worked up about things” – Kenneth Branagh
  5. “Learn to enjoy your own company. You are the one person you can count on living with for the rest of your life.” – Ann Richards
  6. “‘Cars’ was about Lightning McQueen learning to slow down and to enjoy life. The journey is the reward.” – John Lasseter, Director of Cars
  7. “Do not squander time, for that’s the stuff life is made of.” – Benjamin Franklin
  8. “We are bombarded on all sides by a vast number of messages we don’t want or need. More information is generated in a single day than we can absorb in a lifetime. To fully enjoy life, all of us must find our own breathing space and peace of mind.” – James E. Faust
  9. “Live and work but do not forget to play, to have fun in life and really enjoy it.” – Eileen Caddy
  10. “The most important thing is to enjoy your life – to be happy – it’s all that matters.” – Audrey Hepburn

I know that “YOLO” is outdated, but it’s true: You really do only live once, so you should try to make the most of it. Would you rather say you spent your whole life overthinking things and letting negative thoughts control you, or that you lived your life to the fullest and enjoyed all the amazing things life has to offer? These quotes helped me realize I should spend my time enjoying life and being happy, and I hope they’ve done the same for you!

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Resources, Student Life

Debunking Myths About Online Classes

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Since a lot of classes are being offered online rather than in-person in order to keep students, faculty, and staff as safe as possible; there are sure to be some questions about how online classes will work. Since the switch to online classes during the middle of last semester, a lot of returning students got the chance to experience remote learning and learn how to manage digital classes. For the incoming freshman who haven’t had experience with online college classes yet (or the returning students who are hesitant about online learning), here are some common myths you may have heard about online classes and the reasons that they’re just not true:

1. I won’t learn as much if classes are online: Professors top priority is to teach their students. Just because the way they are teaching has changed doesn’t mean they have stopped trying or caring about students’ education. While certain courses may look different and some of the course material may have been changed to improve online learning capabilities, you will still be able to learn just as much as you would in person. How much you learn also depends on you, not just on the course. If you’re engaging and working hard, you’ll learn a lot and do well whether the class is in person or online.

2. It’s impossible to motivate myself to get work done for an online class: While it may be difficult to motivate yourself to complete assignments sometimes, it’s definitely not impossible, even for online courses. Remind yourself that your grades are still important even though you’re not physically in the classroom. Try to plan times each week to focus on different classes for certain periods of time. For example, maybe take one hour each day to work on assignments or study for your hardest class, and take an hour every other day for another less demanding class. Setting up a schedule like this will help you stay on track and will encourage you to get work done in the time frame you set for yourself. 

3. I won’t have access to help if I need it: Millersville’s faculty and staff members are always eager to help students! You can always contact your professors, advisors, and other staff members when you need help. You can set up Zoom or Skype meetings, phone calls, or just email staff back and forth and they’ll do whatever they can to help you. Millersville’s Writing Center is offering online tutoring for the Fall 2020 semester. You can also check which departments are offering tutoring services, apply to request a tutor, and contact the Tutoring Center with any questions. The Millersville Counseling Center is also a great resource if you’re struggling and need someone to talk to. You can schedule a teletherapy appointment either through Zoom (preferred) or over the phone. Call 717-871-7821 to schedule an appointment.

4. My grades will suffer: Your grades will only suffer if you let them. Just like in-person classes, it’s up to you to keep up with your assignments, put in the work, and reach out if you need help. Professors have been working hard to structure their classes in a way that helps students learn the material and succeed while taking the course remotely. Treat the course as if it were in-person to help yourself perform well. Make time for each of your classes, eliminate distractions like phones while you’re doing work, and remind yourself that doing well in your classes will only help you in the future, so it’s worth it to try your hardest and put in the work.  

5. I won’t know when things are due: Due dates and things like exam days will be on your syllabus for each of your classes. Once you have access to a syllabus for all of your classes, I strongly recommend you put important dates somewhere that you’ll be able to see them regularly. You can use the calendar in Outlook to keep track of when things are due, when you have exams, and so on. It’s quick and easy to add events onto the calendar. If you have an event involving multiple people, like a Zoom study session, you can invite people to join the event and create a Zoom link to go with the invitation. You can also use Microsoft Teams for video calls, and any scheduled calls are saved in your Teams Calendar. Click here to learn more about how you can utilize Microsoft Teams. If you have something like a project that will be due at the end of the semester and you’re not sure when to start it, contact your professor for some advice! In fact, having a digital syllabus is almost easier than having just a physical one, because you don’t have to worry about losing it. 

Your college experience is what you make it. Whether classes are in-person or online for the time being, you’ll still be able to learn and do well if that’s what you want. This semester will give you a great opportunity to learn more about yourself and how you can handle different types of courses, so make the most of it! Try your best and if you’re having trouble, reach out to people. You’re not alone – every Marauder is trying to figure things out just like you! 

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Announcements, Lists

Fall 2020 Move-In: What to Bring

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What should you bring with you when you move into the residence halls? We’ve compiled a list of essentials that you should bring with you on move-in day to help you answer that question. Feel free to print out this list and check off items as you get them to keep track of what you have/don’t have.

Due to the uncertainty surrounding the current COVID-19 situation, we ask that you do not pack everything you own, and that you stick to bringing the absolute essentials. Examples are listed below. This will also expedite the move-out process in the case that we need to fully close the residence halls due to the changing COVID-19 environment. Additionally, on-campus housing will be closed for the remainder of the semester on November 21, 2020 at 5:00pm. We stress that you pack lightly in order to simplify the move-out process.

Please note that we will NOT provide hand carts/trucks/dollies, so students should prepare accordingly to bring their own. We apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you for your continued cooperation as we navigate this challenging situation.

Essentials for your room:

  • Bedding (sheets, comforter, pillowcases)
  • Pillows
  • Plastic storage bins
  • Clothing (weather appropriate – short sleeve shirts, long sleeve shirts, shorts, pants, shoes, socks and underwear)
  • Laundry basket (Tip: bring one that folds up for easy packing and moving)
  • Laundry detergent
  • Hangers
  • Small trash can
  • Dustpan and brush
  • Computer/laptop
  • Cell phone
  • Medication(s)
  • Desk supplies (pens, pencils, scissors, stapler, etc)
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Masks
  • A personal thermometer for daily self-screening
  • Mini-refrigerator (The University contracts a third party for leasing refrigerator and microwave units which are leased on a yearly basis and will be delivered to your room. For more information, visit the MicroFridge website.)

Essentials for your bathroom:

  • Towels
  • Hand soap
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face wash, etc.
  • Razor
  • Trash bags and small trash can
  • Toilet plunger
  • Toilet brush
  • Toilet paper (You must provide your own toilet paper)
  • Cleaning supplies, including toilet bowl cleaner, disinfectant cleaning spray, paper towels

Click here to learn more about what to bring and what not to bring with you. Keep packing hassle-free and eliminate the stress of move-in day by following our guide of what you should bring with you when you move into your residence hall. Remember: Students living on-campus for the Fall 2020 semester are strongly encouraged to pack lightly and focus on bringing essential items. Let us know if you have any questions about what you should/should not bring with you to move-in day in the comments!

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Student Life

What Does It Mean to Be A Marauder?

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When you enroll as a student at Millersville University, you become more than just a student; you become a member of a family. I say we’re a family because we help each other out by supporting each other, bringing out the best in each other, and growing together as a community. So, what does it really mean to be a part of this family? In other words, what does it mean to be a Marauder? Who better to ask than Marauders themselves! Here’s what some MU students had to say about what being a Marauder means to them:

Lindsey Edwards, an Early Childhood Education and Special Education dual major and member of the class of 2024 says: 

  • Being a Marauder means taking the next step into adulthood with new friends and learning how to succeed in the future!!”

At Millersville University, student success both during and after college is a priority for professors and staff members. However, a big part of success comes from having a support system of fellow students encouraging you to do well, which is exactly what Marauders do!

Marina MacGregor, who plans on graduating in Fall 2020 and is a Social Work major with a minor in Phsychology, says:

  • “Being a Marauder means working toward acceptance and love for others who are from completely different walks of life.”

Diversity is a huge part of what makes Millersville so special, and true Marauders embrace it. Anyone and everyone is welcome and accepted here!

Abigail Azizkhan, another Early Childhood Education and Special Education dual major and member of the class of 2024 agrees:

  • “Being a Marauder means being able to be myself and feeling loved!”

Being a Marauder also means having school spirit. There’s nothing better than going to a school that you can be proud of and that you really love.

Taylor Olszewski, a Music Education Major who will graduate in 2022 says: 

  • “Being a Marauder means having pride in our campus and campus community as well as holding ourselves to the highest standards!”

Member of the class of 2021 Kaitlyn Hopple, an Early Childhood Education  and Special Education dual major with a minor in Psychology, says:

  • “Being a Marauder means being there for others, standing up for what you believe in, and being proud of your campus community and the differences it showcases.”

Pride in the Millersville community and the desire to help others are two traits Marauders embody. Here’s what else Millersville students are saying about what being a Marauder means to them:

Alyx Matchett, a Secondary English Education and Psychology dual major and member of the class of 2021 says:

  • “Being a Marauder means being part of an amazing community of people who are always willing to learn and experience new things together!!!”

Rhys Wallace, a Secondary Education Social Studies major who is also a member of the class of 2021 says: 

  • “Being a Marauder means challenging myself to grow with my peers.”

Francesca Polito-Wroten, a member of the Master of Social Work (MSW) Program who intends to graduate from the program in 2022, says: 

  • “Being a Marauder means being a part of something bigger than myself. It means reaching my goals with friends along the way that are on the same journey as me.”

Cara Haley, who will graduate in May 2022 and is an Early Childhood Education and Special Education dual major with a minor in Integrative STEM Methods says:

  • “Being a Marauder means being part of a great community that provides you with resources to help you grow! They provide opportunities and events to help us grow as learners inside and outside of the classroom.”

There are lots of things that make Marauders great. Whether you’re a current student, an incoming student, or an alumni, you’ll always be a part of the Marauder family. What does being a Marauder mean to you? Let us know in the comments! Go ‘Ville!

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Staff Spotlight

Housing & Residential Programs Staff Spotlight: Hannah Stoner

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Millersville’s Housing and Residential Programs is proud to showcase our staff and all of the incredible work they do to make the residence halls at Millersville safe and a great environment for students to live and learn in. This week’s staff spotlight pick is graduate assistant Hannah Stoner. Continue reading to learn more about Hannah, her tips for managing schoolwork, and what led her to become a graduate assistant!

What made you want to become a Graduate Assistant (GA)?

Hannah: I wanted to become a GA because I love working with students and want to do anything I can to allow them to feel at home here at Millersville!

What has been the most rewarding part of being a GA?

Hannah: The most rewarding part of being a GA has been building a close-knit family with my Desk Attendant and Resident Assistant staff.

How have you been handling everything caused by COVID-19?

Hannah: This is a chaotic and difficult time in the world, but I am hanging in there and doing what I can to stay safe during COVID-19. I have been spending my time cooking, playing Animal Crossing on my Nintendo Switch, and hiking during quarantine!

Do you have any tips for succeeding academically given the various changes?

Hannah: I know that it can be hard to focus on schoolwork when there is so much uncertainty in our country right now. I would recommend putting aside time to study and do homework away from distractions. Make sure that you are taking breaks and spending time outside or being active!

Do you have any advice for residents regarding how to keep themselves and others safe from COVID-19 this fall?

Hannah: Remember to wear your mask and continue to social distance in order to keep yourself and others safe!

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Advice, Health & Wellness

How to Handle Stress

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Stress is totally normal – and it totally stinks. Whether your stressed about a job, schoolwork, personal relationships, or pretty much anything else, it can be hard to cope with. Fortunately, there are some ways that you can manage your stress and stop it from controlling your life. Keep reading to find out what they are and how you can use them to start feeling better:

1. Talk to someone

Source: http://gph.is/1E2gEVj

Reaching out to people who care is one of the best things you can do when you’re feeling overwhelmed. You’re not alone – stress affects everyone in some way, and it really helps to get things off your chest. If you feel like there’s no one you can reach out to, Millersville’s Counseling Center is open for the summer and you can schedule a teletheraphy appointment either through Zoom (preferred) or over the phone. Call 717-871-7821 to schedule an appointment.

2. Look at the positives

Source: http://gph.is/Z13tvg

Is the glass half full or half empty? That depends on how you look at it! If you send all of your time focusing on the negatives, you’ll never be happy and it’ll be much more challenging to de-stress. When you’re faced with something that stresses you out, try to think: “What are the positives of this situation?” “Are the negatives really as bad as I’m making them out to be?” You may not be able to make the situation better, but you can improve how you respond to it.

3. Practice relaxation techniques

Source: http://gph.is/1nsl36C

Close your eyes, imagine yourself in a calm environment, relax your muscles, and take a few deep breaths. Try to clear your mind by focusing on your breathing rather than whatever is stressing you out. You may feel like just closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths won’t help anything, but it really does!

4. Take time to yourself away from stressors

Source: http://gph.is/1X5vRNX

What are some things that help you relax? For me, I love cooking/baking and watching my favorite shows on Netflix. Whatever it is you like to spend time doing, take a bit of time out of your day when you’re feeling overwhelmed to enjoy that activity. Whether it’s for ten minutes or two hours, take however long you need to regroup and relax your mind.

5. Accept that there are things you can’t control

Source: http://gph.is/1sF95B4

As much as we’d like to be able to control all aspects of our lives, we can’t. There are things like the COVID-19 pandemic that happen and there’s nothing we can do to stop it. Stressing out about the things you can’t control won’t help anything. There’s nothing you can do to change the situation, so it’s important to recognize that, realize it’s okay, and do what you can to make the things you can control better for yourself.

6. Take care of your health

Source: http://gph.is/2n0kdZJ

Making sure you’re physically healthy can help improve your mental health. Eating healthy and exercising can help you relax and manage stress. I like going on walks after a long day to unwind and decompress, and I think it really helps me feel better after I’ve had a stressful day!

Stress is extremely common, but manageable. Don’t let it control your life.  Practice the techniques above or let us know what techniques you use to cope with stress in the comments! Remember, tough times don’t last forever, and you’re not alone!

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