Story 7

Kaylee Hanowski

Enterprise Story Draft

The ability of combating stress is somewhat difficult for Anoka-Ramsey Community College’s fellow students. Many students are in search of ways to overcome their stress, others share what works best for themselves.

An investigation took place in 2009 in conducting research for student health and health-related behaviors. Approximately 1,613 students participated in this survey from Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC). Within the survey the biggest contributors of problems within the college were depression, tobacco and alcohol use, debt, financial costs and burdens, and of course stress. Stress could be caused by just about anything including all the contributions listed above.

“My muscles are tight, I can’t think straight, and I can’t seem to get a grip on reality,” Andre O’Rourke, 18, full time ARCC student, described as his own personal example of what stress is.

Being stressed comes with great consequences that affect multiple students. Physical and emotional issues rise, along with the well being of your self.  All this can lead to students doing poorly in academics, creating anxiety, frustration, and personal relationships inside and outside of the college.

Jennifer Baker-Jones is a Stress Management instructor at ARCC and teaches students all about stress and its affects. She also teaches students how important it is to deal with stress. Her class consists of examples of how to combat stress along with learning what exactly stress can do directly to your body, emotionally and physically.

“The more we pay attention to what stress actually does to us, the more we become aware of it.” Baker-Jones explained, “Having a healthy lifestyle is so important, eating right, getting enough sleep, and being able to talk about your problems are important ways to refrain from getting stressed.”

When knowing the affects of stress students are more motivated to learn about how to avoid it rather than students who can’t identify the conditions of stress for themselves. Things like exercise, meditation, sleeping, and having fun are ways to relieve stress and tension. These are ways to get away from the roots of stress and keep it out of your mind.

“I tend to eat a lot more when I don’t need to. It helps cope its my comfort food.” O’Rourke said.  A lot of students at ARCC do not take time to bring their own lunch from home; instead they buy food and things to drink from the campuses’ vending machines, and a little lunchroom where students can purchase sandwiches and other items of the same sort.

In Baker-Jone’s Stress Management class many examples to combat stress are explored by students. The focus is meditation, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle.

“Moderation is key,” Baker-Jones implied, “Each day focus on what you need to do to take care of yourself, and that can go a long way.”

A lot of students and staff don’t realize many of the offers the college has. There are counselors at the college for all kinds of help, whether it is about classes and grades, or personal problems. The counselors are on campus and are there to help.

“I like how the college gave free massages, especially during finals week.” Cayla Yund said, age 18, full time student attending ARCC.

Many also don’t realize the beautiful location of the college. ARCC is located on a small hill surrounded by trees and nature. Across the college flows the Rum River. Paths are available to walk and ride bike on surrounding the college that lead down to the river. The college is full of windows allowing much natural light inside the building.

“When I exercise I get more energy and it gets my mind off of stressful things.” Yund explains as her own way of combating stress.

Being a student at ARCC also offers a membership at a fitness center across the street in the community center.

“Taking the Stress Management class has helped me.” Megan Quarnstrom said, age 18, a part time student at ARCC. Many students have taken the class that ARCC has offered. Within the class they’ve learned all about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle without stress.

“Stress is a big health concern.” Baker-Jones said. Baker-Jones wants to come to together on how both students and staff can participate in ways to eliminate stress altogether.

“There are always ways to improve,” she continued. “There needs to be a discussion between students and staff to come up with better solutions. Instructors need to think about what the over all goal is, and what we want our students to walk away with.”

Combating stress is a ongoing problem throughout colleges, but in ARCC there are ways to get around stress. Taking a Stress Management class, walking along the nature filled paths near the college, or getting counseling help from the staff are all good ways to combat stress.

“Students should be more open to solutions for combating stress,” O’Rourke explained, “Even though you may think it doesn’t help. it does.”