Where did Monday go? While we’re at it, why don’t you tell me where Tuesday went? The last thing I knew it was Sunday and I was sitting down to Easter dinner with my family. I needed those two days to study for final exams.
Finals, Exams, and quizzes used to stress me out. Stress with a capital ‘S.’ My parents have always stressed the importance of working hard and giving your best effort. My dad reiterated those beliefs to me many times (many, many times) before I left for school my freshman year. So naturally, I wanted to my parents proud by making stellar grades. I put a lot of stress on myself worrying over those grades, though. During my freshman year at Auburn University , I called my dad in tears because I missed one question on a 2 question quiz. ”I…(heaving for breath)…failed…(heaving for breath)….my…(heaving for more breath)…quiz.” If someone saw me in the hallway they would have thought I lost a relative I was crying so hard. Nope, just a chemistry question. To put things in perspective, we had a quiz every week, so that one quiz did not carry much weight.
Were those tears worth it? No. A little bit of stress is healthy and can actually keep you motivated and focused. But stress to the point of tears- stressing so much you keep getting out of bed at night because you want to check your organic chemistry notes one more time – that stress is not healthy and it’s not worth it. Academics is about learning. when you focus on increasing your knowledge rather than cramming as much material into your head as it can hold, you will be happier, healthier, and come out more knowledgable. What do I do to keep my stress as bay and focus on the important thing sin life?
Run: If my life were a see-saw, running would be the activity that keeps it in balance. Running pulls my attention away from my perpetual to-do list, the homework assignment that has no right answer, and other stressors. It’s just me, the pitter-patter of my feet, and a quiet morning. Oh yeah, and Shari (the best running buddy in the whole world)!
Read: ”Once upon a time, there was a girl named Caitlyn who was so absorbed in her Harry Potter book she thought magic was real.” I actually grumbled around the house when I finished the series because there was no Hogwarts, or magic, or 9 3/4. Bummer. Books are my escape into a separate world. I have currently escaped into the Rhoda’s Mennonite world! This is so funny (and is calling my name from the table next to me. Better type faster.)
Cook: It’s not always fancy and it’s not always tasty, but it is always fun to create. Lately I have been infatuated with Whole Wheat Tortillas. I am one tortilla away from having eaten a whole package (there are 5 in a package). How many uses are there for a tortilla? Countless! The quesadilla stole my heart tonight, though.
Simple Quesadilla
Whole Wheat Tortilla
Smoke While Cheddar
Chopped red onion
Spinach
1. Lay all ingredients on one half of the tortilla. Fold tortilla in half.
2. Cook on a hot skillet, pressing while it cooks.
3. Serve with salsa and guacamole.
Crispy, crunchy, delightful! So delightful I went in for another one. I’m one tortilla away from finishing a package of whole wheat tortillas in one day. What can I say, they’re good 
How do you relieve stress?
Where did Monday go? While we’re at it, why don’t you tell me where Tuesday went? The last thing I knew it was Sunday and I was sitting down to Easter dinner with my family. I needed those two days to study for final exams.
Finals, Exams, and quizzes used to stress me out. Stress with a capital ‘S.’ My parents have always stressed the importance of working hard and giving your best effort. My dad reiterated those beliefs to me many times (many, many times) before I left for school my freshman year. So naturally, I wanted to my parents proud by making stellar grades. I put a lot of stress on myself worrying over those grades, though. During my freshman year at Auburn University , I called my dad in tears because I missed one question on a 2 question quiz. ”I…(heaving for breath)…failed…(heaving for breath)….my…(heaving for more breath)…quiz.” If someone saw me in the hallway they would have thought I lost a relative I was crying so hard. Nope, just a chemistry question. To put things in perspective, we had a quiz every week, so that one quiz did not carry much weight.
Were those tears worth it? No. A little bit of stress is healthy and can actually keep you motivated and focused. But stress to the point of tears- stressing so much you keep getting out of bed at night because you want to check your organic chemistry notes one more time – that stress is not healthy and it’s not worth it. Academics is about learning. when you focus on increasing your knowledge rather than cramming as much material into your head as it can hold, you will be happier, healthier, and come out more knowledgable. What do I do to keep my stress as bay and focus on the important thing sin life?
Run: If my life were a see-saw, running would be the activity that keeps it in balance. Running pulls my attention away from my perpetual to-do list, the homework assignment that has no right answer, and other stressors. It’s just me, the pitter-patter of my feet, and a quiet morning. Oh yeah, and Shari (the best running buddy in the whole world)!
Cook: It’s not always fancy and it’s not always tasty, but it is always fun to create. Lately I have been infatuated with Whole Wheat Tortillas. I am one tortilla away from having eaten a whole package (there are 5 in a package). How many uses are there for a tortilla? Countless! The quesadilla stole my heart tonight, though.
Simple Quesadilla
Whole Wheat Tortilla
Smoke While Cheddar
Chopped red onion
Spinach
1. Lay all ingredients on one half of the tortilla. Fold tortilla in half.
2. Cook on a hot skillet, pressing while it cooks.
3. Serve with salsa and guacamole.
Crispy, crunchy, delightful! So delightful I went in for another one. I’m one tortilla away from finishing a package of whole wheat tortillas in one day. What can I say, they’re good
How do you relieve stress?