Thanksgiving is right around the corner and with the season, come the dreadful gifts of midterms and, soon, finals. Students will need to find ways to unwind and relieve stress, while getting ready to celebrate the upcoming holidays.
One way to get in the spirit is by sitting down for just a couple of minutes a day and finding someone you are thankful for. After figuring it out, students can write a letter to those people and explain why they are thankful for them. Not only will the letter bring a smile to someone’s face, the simple task of writing feelings on a paper can relieve the stress that many students have thrust upon them.
Sophomore Nora Baron said that being an out-of-state student from California is especially hard. Not only is she stressed about school, she is homesick too.
“I would write a letter to my parents telling them how thankful I am for them for allowing me to go to such a good school so far away, while supporting me along the way,” Baron said. “Writing this letter would remind me how lucky I am. Knowing that I have people who love and care for me, which is something easily forgotten, is such a stress reliever.”
Another way students can get in the spirit of giving thanks is by gathering with friends who they are thankful for and having a mock Thanksgiving dinner either in town or in the cafeteria.
Going into town or the cafeteria with people you are thankful for can relieve some stress and help students see why it is important to get in the spirit of giving thanks.
Professor Donnell Pierre, who has a master’s degree in psychological studies and a bachelor’s degree in psychology, gave a psychological perspective to the topic of holiday stress.
“The main things students can do at school is do community service through DOVE and give back to people that are less fortunate,” Professor Pierre said. “The other thing you can do is stay around positive people because you want to stay around people that are giving thanks and are doing what you are trying to achieve. The third thing to do is visit the chapel on campus. We are a Catholic institution and a huge tradition of spirituality and faith. It is good to go for a brief period to mediate while stressed and build a thankful heart.”
Sophomore Tarriya Carter said, “The holiday season should be a joyous time when one has time to reflect on the blessings they have and being surrounded by positive people enhances that experience. During this time you want to be around people that are positive and grateful for what they have.”
Shaygne Rodriguez can be reached at shaygne.rodriguez@student.shu.edu.
