There’s no need to Stress Out
Lauren Dibble, Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of ngu.edu
It’s not uncommon for college students to have stress during the school year, but now because of Stress Out, North Greenville University students have a place to vent out their stress and anxiety struggles Tuesday evenings.
The Stress Out discussion group was started by campus counselors at NGU as a way for students to identify personal causes of stress and anxiety, learn practical tools to help minimize stress and learn what Scripture teaches about anxiety. Rachel Redding, Assistant to VP of Enrollment Management, currently leads the group in the student center conference room.
While, for now, the discussion group is closed to new participants due to limited space, Redding hopes to make it an open group following spring break and continuing in future semesters.
“I’d like to see us do this [group] on a regular basis… I think students at North Greenville need every opportunity for success. If you understand where stress comes from, it kind of helps minimize it,” said Redding. She stated that being able to help students walk through stress is important so that it’s not something that will create a failure for them.
According to statistics, the number one reason for students dropping out of college is stress. With a background in group facilitation and a Masters in crisis response and trauma, Redding knew that starting a group like Stress Out on campus was a need for students.
By taking a biblical standpoint, Redding uses Bible verses about worry and stress to show students they don’t have to live in fear of anxiety. She said, “I want students to realize that you do not have to be a victim of stress and anxiety because that’s not what God has for you.” Her goal is to help students understand who they are in Christ in order to cope with stress and ultimately put a stop to it.
Stress Out was put in place to ensure students have someone to reach out to during their struggles. Sara Black, Personal Counselor at NGU, has helped in overseeing Stress Out. She stated that “students need support and they don’t always know it’s available or how to get it. This group helps connect them with counselors.”
Black encourages students to take action in implementing steps toward self-care, whether it’s getting more sleep, going to the gym or getting a balanced meal. Any of these activities can help students who are feeling stressed.
Redding pointed out that everybody gets stressed at times and nobody is immune to it, but it’s what you do with it that counts. “The biggest thing is to understand that you’re loved by God… The Scripture talks about every good and perfect gift coming from the Father. Stress and anxiety are not from Him. They are not something we have to accept.”
