Why College Students Are Stressed

A recent survey conducted by The Associated Press and mtvU finds that four in 10 students say they have often experienced stress with almost one in five saying they are stressed most of the time.

Although many sources of stress are identified, typical responses included stress from school work and grades, with financial problems close behind. Relationships, dating, family problems and extracurricular activities are also named as stressors.

Students identify continued stress as a cycle that can be hard to break. Continued stress can leave you agitated and anxious which can lead to trouble concentrating, sleeping and even cause changes to your eating habits which, in turn, can lead to trouble finding motivation, feelings of being lonely and depressed - and them you start procrastinating and everything just piles up on you.

The good news is that nearly two-thirds of students are hopeful and enjoy life.

The best thing to do if you are feeling the affects of stress on a daily basis is to talk to someone. Talk to your parents, your friends at school or a school or private counselor. Talking about the stressors in your life is one of the best ways to get your feeling out in the open and look for positive solutions.

Many times, teenagers and young adults believe their problems or concerns are unique to themselves. You need to be aware that most adults have gone through many of the same situations that you are facing and that you're not alone in your experiences and feelings.

Here are some things you can do to help relieve stress.

• Get at least eight hours of sleep each night
• Exercise regularly
• Eat a healthy diet
• Break large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps
• Take time for fun with family and friends

You shouldn't try to eliminate all stress from your life - it simply can't be done. Learning to manage stress during this time is a skill that will serve you well into the future.

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Tips for Job Hunters

It seems that everybody has advice about how to land a job. Some of it may be good, some of it may be outdated and some of it may just be ill-advised. We've compiled some tips to help you in your job search.

If your resume goes to a second page, don't lose sleep. It's better to have a well-constructed, well-written resume that includes your pertinent job history than to eliminate important information trying to keep it to one page.

Errors on a resume are bad; be sure to review your resume. . .and ask someone you trust to proofread it before you send it out.

How long do you wait after applying for a job before you assume they're not interested? Two weeks after you apply, you should contact the employer to find out if they've received your resume and what their expected timeframe is for filling the position. This isn't a time to be shy. Follow-up shows that youre interested and motivated.

Don't let you limited job experience discourage you. At some point in your career you'll find yourself competing for a job with someone who has more experience than you. While most employers look at experience, they also consider many other variables. Are they looking for someone fresh with more motivation and flexibility? Are they looking to save money by hiring someone with limited experience? Is your personality a natural fit with the current office working environment? Are your references strong enough to put you over the top?

The more professional relationships you develop, the greater the possibility that one of those contacts will open an employment door. Get involved in professional organizations and volunteer your time and skills on special projects and network, network, network.

Be sure you make a positive impression when you land an interview. You should know the drill, but always dress appropriately, make eye contact when listening and speaking, greet your interviewer with a firm handshake and follow-up an interview with a thank you note or email.

Keep trying. Very few people get the first or second job they interview for. The more interviews you have, the better you'll get. If you're notified that a position was offered to another candidate, contact the person with whom you interviewed and ask them to provide you with feedback on your interview. Most employers will take the time to respond; this feedback will help you improve your interview skills.

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When You're Home for the Summer

Coming home for the summer, after being on your own for the past year, can be a big adjustment. You've tasted independence and have become used to making your own decisions. Suddenly, you're home... and your parents may expect you to fall into the same routine you had when you were in high school. If you don't want to spend the summer fighting with your parents, take the time when you get home to negotiate the ground rules. Problem areas tend to be related to curfews, money, household chores and responsibilities, friends coming over and car-Internet-phone usage. Before you sit down to the negotiation table, write down a list of your concerns.

The best idea is to discuss what you want, what your parents want, and then be willing to compromise! It will show your parents that you're mature enough to handle your new-found independence.

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