Making the Most of Stress Awareness Month this April

Written by Serigne Thiam, Graduate Assistant for the Graduate College

Graduate school demands a lot from you emotionally, mentally, and financially. You’re likely balancing jobs, applying for internships, searching for housing, and watching the job-market daily. So when academic pressures and life stressors are added on top of the pile, the uncertainty of not knowing what comes next is daunting and sneaks up on even the most resilient of us. Coupled with the uncertainties of our current socio-political climate, it's entirely natural to feel overwhelmed at times.

April isn’t just spring season and exams—it’s also Stress Awareness Month, and it arrives at a time of expanded uncertainty. We’re now navigating an academic and social landscape that is constantly changing and shifting the way we engage with education and each other. These changes add another layer of worry and stress, and in a world that feels like it’s moving faster than we can process, the stress we carry is heavier than usual. That’s why it’s more important than ever to name our stress, manage it, and advocate for our collective well-being. 

Stress is a normal facet of everyday life, but it doesn’t have to be our default setting. But stress, when left unchecked, isn’t just a bad day or a rough week. It wears on your immune system, interrupts your ability to focus, and makes small decisions feel massive. When you're constantly in survival mode, even the most minutiae tasks feel massive.

But stress is not a reflection of your strength or capability—it’s your body asking you to pay attention. Learning to recognize these signals is the first step toward managing your stress. It’s not about eliminating stress entirely—it’s about understanding when it’s too much and knowing you deserve support, not shame, for feeling overwhelmed.

This week is Graduate Student Appreciation Week, and there’s still time to join in on the fun! The Graduate College has organized a series of online and in-person events and activities to showcase our appreciation for you, with many events focusing on having a good time and community building: 
 
Thursday, April 10: Ice Cream Social 

West Campus: 11 AM - 12 PM at Tangeman University Center 3rd Floor Atrium 

Medical Campus: 1 - 2 PM at Health Sciences Building Atrium 

Friday, April 11: Farewell Friday

DIY Painting: 10 AM - 12 PM at Van Wormer Rotunda Atrium 

Sweets & Swag: 12 - 1:30 PM at Health Sciences Building Atrium 

Engage in creative expression with DIY painting sessions and satisfy your sweet tooth with treats from Bagel Bros, all while collecting Graduate College swag. These events provide a relaxed environment to unwind and disconnect from the outside noise. You are a part of a supportive community, so we urge you to stop by or log in whenever you can! 

Stress Awareness Month is a reminder to check in with yourself. When was the last time you gave yourself permission to pause? To feel overwhelmed and not push through it in silence? Stress management can encompass virtually anything, but keep in mind the most important aspect of stress management: Self-advocacy. There are things out of your control, but there are also things well within your purview. Self-advocacy could be making time out of your day to catch up with friends or taking a pause to chat with your amazing coworkers and vent—it can be anything. It can be asking your advisor for a realistic deadline or declining one more commitment. Sometimes it’s as simple as giving yourself grace when everything else feels too heavy. 

There’s always a ton happening in the world, and it’s okay if it is getting to you. Stress from searching for jobs, managing your finances, relationships and whatever other stressor can be conquered by you. Uncertainty can be deeply personal, but you’re not overacting. You’re responding to a lot of things at once, and you deserve support. The Graduate College offers various personal and professional resources designed to support you every which way

This Stress Awareness Month, give yourself permission to feel what you’re feeling without shame. Be kind to yourself. Advocate for breaks. Connect with people who remind you that you’re more than your productivity. Take care of your body the way you’d care for a friend—rest, hydrate, and move—when you can. 

You’re not alone in this, and you’re not expected to do it all perfectly. Let this month be your reminder: it’s okay to slow down. It’s okay to speak up. And it’s more than okay to take care of yourself—not just so you can keep going, but because you deserve to feel good while you're growing.