So, I'm a senior this year (some of you might already know this) and i've been going through the same things that all (or a lot) seniors go through.

I'm looking into/visiting/applying to colleges and Scholarships. (money is always an issue in my family)

I've been trying to build up my portfolio, but I haven't had time for drawing, let along painting or sculpting.

I'm taking 9.5 credits this year, two (and maybe three next semester) are college level classes.

I think imma die. I'm so stressed.

How do you guys deal with stress and all the exhaustion that comes with it? I can't seem to find a way to let it go.

Take yoga or martial arts or really anything that is somewhat exerting and gets your mind off what stresses you out (... well, that's what I do anyway).

If you like to draw, take like an hour a day or so, turn on some music you like and draw/paint away (if you listen to music as you draw). You don't have to aim to do a finished piece, it could be something you do gradually over time. And if art is what you want to do in college this will help build your portfolio as well and it will be done in a relaxing (or semi relaxing) manner.

Basically the best thing to help relieve stress is to find something you love doing and do it. For me that was martial arts. You might not think you have time for it, but you do. Take an hour, do what you love and then go back to work. Like I said, you might not feel you have time for it, but the more stressed you are, the less focused you are and, thus, the less work you actually get done. Walking away from your work relaxes your mind so you can come back to it fresh and get more done than you would have when you were freaked out.

I know it sounds like that isn't good advise, but it is. In college all my professors harped about it - taking time to do things you wanted to. It's not to say you should futs around all the time, but you should take some "you" time every now and again (at least once a week). My martial arts classes were two hours long once a week (my senior year, just because I had academic classes during all the other martial arts classes). I always felt refreshed after it. Going and seeing a movie or eating out with my friends occasionally really helped as well.

Things are crazy, but there are always ways to take a step back, take a breath ad go about the problem

I had that trouble last year... Well, the freaking out about a college and scholarships and having hardly any time to do anything. Factor in mono to that equation... Now multiply the stress level...

I chose a college that looked into a lot of scholarships for me, so I didn't have to try as much. Oh, and apply to as many scholarships as possible, even if you think you don't have a chance of getting them. Apparently, a lot of people think they won't be able to get them, so competition isn't always as bad as you think it will be.

As far as not having time goes, if you set aside just a little bit of time each day to devote to your art, you can gradually add to your portfolio without taking away too much of your other time.

I don't know exactly how I dealt with all of the stress. I think there's just some sort of mechanism I have so that when I get extremely stressed and to the point of breaking, all of my stress goes away and I literally can't worry for a bit. I don't know whether or not that's a particularly good thing, though, seeing as not being stressed at all can lead to a lack of motivation...

i, like ren, also applied to a college that was really helpful in most aspects. i got in and everything was fine...for a while. then i decided that i wanted to become a nurse. and the college i am currently attending wont help me in this goal. so as of right now i am juggling college, a job and a search for a college to transfer to. but this isnt about me, it is about you. i agree with ren, just set some time aside each day and you should be able to put together a portfolio in time. apply to any and every scholarship. talk yourself up big but dont lie. and talk to you counselor at school, they can be very helpful. just tell them your concerns, your goals and such and they should be of some use. i would also talk to someone from the college or colleges that you plan to attend. ask them every question you can think of whether you believe it will be important or not. because odds are it will be important eventually. also visit the college if at all possible, you may think you love a college but then you get there and it is like, ugh... this isnt at all what i thought it would be. and as for the stress part, just take some time for yourself. take a break, too much stress will make you crack and then where will you be? even more stressed. so do whatever you feel will relax you for a little bit. and good luck.

Yea, I had a lot of stress last year too. I think it's like that for most people their senior year. try meditating. taking deep breaths while listening to calming music with no lyrics.

If money is a major issue, looking for a scholorship is a good way to help in the college you want to get into. Another option is a pail grant or a loan. Yes you will have to pay back the loan when you graduate, but it will be worth it.

Other than that how to deal with the stress, just take a deep breath and slowly let it out. Meditate. Go outside and just sit in the grass for a few minutes and feel nature around you and how peacefull it is. Dont resort to caffeine and forget ot drink water or anything else that keeps you hydrated. Trust me on that one, your will defentaly mess your heart up. Since you like to draw, find some time either befor you go to sleep and spend at least five or ten minutes on a piece of work. Even if it is a scetch, it is stil somehting that can become something maginificant. Even scetches can be a peice of art. it is how the vewier.

If you already have some art peice from your classes in school then you have a portfolio already. If you need to actualy have a portfolio to hold your peices, take two poster bords and yarn. Take a hole puncher on the sides of both posters, and then tie it up with the yarn. Simple portfolio, but it works. or you can go here http://www.jerrysartarama.com/?utm_n...FQkIswodtAMTkQ

That site will be your freind through out college for your art career. And Hobby Lobby.

But just remember. Take it one thing at a time. It will work out in then end. So dont fret.

NA

get a personal sketchbook that no one has to look in and sketch whenever you get stressed. sometimes just shoving your pencil hard into the paper and drawing violent jagged lines helps a ton. dont think when you draw in it, just draw and let your subconscious lead the pencil.
or if stuff like this doesn't help then maybe try running or if your an adrenaline junkie like me you could get some roller blades o a skateboard and find some steep hills and go super fast
i do all these things and they usually work

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! <3 It means a lot!

I was a senior (ahem, several years ago) and the one thing I learned about the best way to relieve my stress was to spend a lot of time laughing w/ my friends. Try not to bury yourself in college stuff. Know that you are prepared, even if you don't feel it, you're as prepared as everyone else that's going to college next year.

I think above all else, get plenty of sleep. If there's one thing teenagers don't get enough of, it's sleep. And you'll definitely notice it more as the year goes on and college starts. Sleep is a very good friend.

When I get stressed, my best solution usually goes to where I take a days' worth break. Where there is no drama, leave my cell-phone off, and isolate myself. Usually when I sketch or paint I feel the pressure decrease. Plus, the non-existing world around me makes me relaxed. Sometimes I play Beethoven ect.
Sometimes, the best thing to do is to spend a day with a good friend and get out of the house for a bit. Or away from where-ever the stress is pin-pointed.

First things first, you have to make yourself more in control of the situation so you don't feel like it's going to take over you and eat you alive. The more you let it do that, the more hapless you'll be in the days to come.

This is war really. XD War against stress. And we're all in it.

At least you know your enemies/points of stress thus it's time to think of a long term strategy and everyday tactics to deal with it. Always have a back up plan.

Diversion to alleviate stress can only do so much to make you feel fine during the storm.

But it is advisable you have at least one anti-negative stress activity so at least they're some positive energy in your life.

The sooner you deal with it and manage to overcome them, the sooner you'll be ready for the bigger things in life.

Remember that all of this will come to pass. ^^

So you have to give it your best shot so when it does come to pass already, you can give yourself a pat on the shoulder for having acted as such.

I deal with stress by planning ahead and sometimes i reward myself for completing big projects ect.
:D
I deal with exhaustion by taking almost every single minute of free time and turning it into Destiny's Nap Time lol

(Well I don't know if you want advice from a 7th grader...)
What I do is I take yoga. I have this personal sketch-book where I write down my bad part of the day, as soon as possible, and shred it. I usually cry if it was that bad, but it's normal. If you don't let yourself burst out crying, when you really need to, you keep in all of the bad vibes you need to get out of your body. I have a lot of homework for each class (I don't know about you) but if I work for two hours, I tell my dad to write my teacher a note saying I couldn't do my homework that night. I really like it when I can stay home on holidays, I just relax in bed. Well that's it, I don't know if you would read this... :sweat:

I made sure not to kill myself my senior year.

I know a lot of people that were in your situation though. It's difficult to balance so much stuff!! All I can say is hang in there. You will make it out alive! :yes:

Perhaps you should try getting away from it all for a while. Take a walk, or jog. Maybe even try some yoga. If that isn't your thing, maybe read a book. Just sit down and relax sometime. Cuddle up in a fluffy blanket and take a nap. That's my favorite! =3

just think, it could be worse. my junior year was great!!! <3 my senior years sucked.
if you ever need to look at someone who's is/was worse off then you, you could use me as a reference
not only did i have to put up with applying for colleges, my ACT scores just got lower and lower. the boy i liked since 8th grade turned gay. (i don't have anything against it, but you can imagine how hard that was). i was taking 4 out of 7 classes that i didn't want to take. my 12 1/2 year old dog passed away that February. later that week, my boyfriend broke up with me...on VALENTINES DAY of all days!!!!

just keep your head up. things will work out. as horrible as it was for me, things worked out for me, or at least well enough. when things are stressful, hang out with friends. find someone who'll make you laugh. laughter is very helpful.

I would suggest taking yoga. I took yoga in my first semester in college and it really did help me with my stress. And if it could help me (with 2 jobs as welll as full time school) It's likely to be able to help you.

Originally Posted by Brownies Yum

(Well I don't know if you want advice from a 7th grader...)
What I do is I take yoga. I have this personal sketch-book where I write down my bad part of the day, as soon as possible, and shred it. I usually cry if it was that bad, but it's normal. If you don't let yourself burst out crying, when you really need to, you keep in all of the bad vibes you need to get out of your body. I have a lot of homework for each class (I don't know about you) but if I work for two hours, I tell my dad to write my teacher a note saying I couldn't do my homework that night. I really like it when I can stay home on holidays, I just relax in bed. Well that's it, I don't know if you would read this... :sweat:

:) Advice is good from anyone! I do keep a sketchbook, and I draw (or scribble) when I feel like it. The stress seems to be getting better. (I dropped an AP class, and I don't regret it at all. <3)

I've had a lot of people suggest yoga to me also! I'm thinking it might be worth a shot. :D

Honestly, when I am stressed out, my coping techniques are very poor. I usually let it all build up and then I just go and cry, or get angry. It's not healthy.

I can't really suggest good techniques, I'm afraid. Sorry.

Originally Posted by IcePuppet

Honestly, when I am stressed out, my coping techniques are very poor. I usually let it all build up and then I just go and cry, or get angry. It's not healthy.

I can't really suggest good techniques, I'm afraid. Sorry.

This is a good thread for you too then, huh? :)

Originally Posted by Panic

How do you guys deal with stress and all the exhaustion that comes with it? I can't seem to find a way to let it go.

The way I deal with my life stress, which has been up there in the charts lately, I go running. I need a lot of 'me' time when it comes down to it. I will take my headphones and go running, or go to the gym. Those help me a lot. So does playing 'kill' things games. Especially after a full day of work. Afterwards, I will go up to the bar for a couple beers.

Stressful situations are inevitable, but they don't have to be miserable. The ways that I like to cope with it are doing yoga, burning candles or incense with scents that I find therapeutic, and watching one of my favorite movies that make me smile. The most important thing when life is stressful is to schedule time to relax, because if you don't schedule it in, you won't take the time to do it, and it's so important to keep your sanity. And as far as your portfolio, take a deep breath, do as much as you can, and the rest of it is out of your hands.

Prioritize what's most important to you, and just do your best and give it your all, because that's all anyone can ask of you. Good luck, and don't forget to relax! :)