April is stress awareness month… What are you doing to destress? PHOTO CREDIT: hr.nih.gov
As the academic year concludes at the University of Rhode Island, students manage their stress in an assortment of ways.
On nice days, first-year student Matthew Gervin likes to “chill” in his black and gray hammock. Strung between two trees on the University’s Quadrangle, Gervin has been enjoying his time outside after class.
“[I like hammocking] because it’s relaxing, it’s nice, and it’s outside in the sun,” Gervin said.
Third-year student Hannah DeMarco manages her stress by finding peaceful spots on and off campus.
“I really like going on walks, especially on the bike path, and it’s very relaxing,” DeMarco said.
Majoring in psychology with a focus on health and clinical, as well as double minoring in Spanish and cannabis studies, DeMarco said that she gravitates toward reading and music in her free time.
Currently rereading the Percy Jackson and the Olympians novels, DeMarco stated that she just finished the second book in the series, titled “The Sea of Monsters.”
“If I have time to do something that’s not schoolwork… I’ll also try and go for a drive to the beach,” DeMarco said.
Visiting the Narragansett Sea Wall is another way that Demarco finds solace from stress, which is located on Ocean Road.
When asked what they do to relieve stress, second-year students Hope Nasse, Abby Menard and Emma Curci stated “draw” in unison.
The process of filling in coloring book pages is “calming and fun,” according to Curci, who is majoring in landscape architecture.
“I hang out with my friends a lot these weeks, that’s a big one,” Curci said.
Walks around campus and on the bike trail also help Curci to de-stress.
When Nasse has free time, she loves to watch cartoons. “The Midnight Gospel,” a science fantasy series, and “Bee and PuppyCat,” a magic and fantasy adventure series, are two cartoons that Nasse has been watching on Netflix.
Menard listens to music to manage her stress while both relaxing and studying.
“I listen to music a lot outside of class, but when I study, I’m usually playing Pinegrove or Alex G,” Menard said. “[The singers] kind of mumble, so it’s easier to focus on my work that way.”
First-year communication studies and public relations double major Gianna Fendrich manages her stress on nice days by walking and running on the campus bike trail.
“I really like looking at all the pretty flowers and seeing all the cute dogs that walk by,” Fendrich said.
Music and hanging out with friends are other ways that Fendrich de-stresses, according to her.
First-year environmental science and management major student, tour guide and orientation leader Meghan Carreiro said she needs an hour of peace to de-stress.
“I take at least an hour a day to be alone and do what I want to do,” Carreiro said. “I’ll go out in the woods a lot during that time, and just sit there and read a book or crochet.”
Despite her workload, Carreiro views stress management as an important part of her day.
“Just taking that hour really calms me down and then I’m ready to get back to work,” Carreiro said.
Other ways that students can minimize stress include eating healthy foods, exercising throughout the week, getting plenty of sleep and practicing mindfulness, according to an article on college stress published by Casper College.Students struggling with stress management during the school year can visit the URI Counseling Center both virtually and in-person, according to the URI website.