People sometimes comment that the winter months are the most depressing. Visits to counsellors increase, people look a little gloomier, the number of attempted suicides goes up, and more people call in sick.

At this time of the year, we fall back into our routines after spending a lot of time with family and friends. For some people there's a follow-up note from Visa or Master Card reminding us of our generosity the month before. The amount of sunshine we see is at its lowest for the whole year, and before going outside we have to bundle up like Sir Edmund Hillary heading for Nepal.

For students there is additional stress. There may be the realization that grades last semester were not all they should have been. Student debt loads may be a concern. Money for the remainder of the year may be running out. You may be asking yourself, “Am I really in the right program?” For some, there may be stresses related to excessive weekend partying, anxiety over sexual activities and STDs, dabbling in drugs or binge drinking.

So, here are a few things that might help reduce stress for the remainder of the year.

A large number of stresses are related to money. So, try to manage yours well. Most of us live on a limited budget, so try not to spend more than you should. If at all possible, live below your means (most of us live at or just over our means). This will mean saying “no” to some things, but that's ok. In fact, it's probably a very good discipline to develop. If you have some debt, try to put it in perspective. It is common for students to accumulate some debt, but it is also very common for people to recover from that once they leave school. Be realistic about your debt, but also be realistic about your ability to repay that debt in due time. That can be a comfort, if even just a small one.

Also, try to figure out what you like doing and try to do a little more of it. Maybe this will involve taking a second look at your program of studies. If you really like what you are getting into, that's a good sign. If you don't, maybe it is time to talk to some friends, a college counsellor, or some family members. Try not to get into a career just for the money or because you think there will be jobs in that field. As much as possible, aim for what interests you, and with a bit of luck, later on someone may pay you to do what you enjoy.

Consider too, the possibility of working a little harder. Having grades you are not happy with can dampen the day considerably. Is it possible that you are avoiding study when you should be doing more of it? Are you working below your capacity? Are you aiming low when you could be aiming higher? It is surprising how your own sense of self-worth can improve and your mood can rise when you work harder at things and see the positive results—usually quite quickly.

Finally, it's ok to admit that you need extra help. Sometimes, as I look back at things, I can see that I would have benefited from some good advice but did not look for it. If you are finding that things are just overwhelming and there does not seem to be a way out, don't hesitate to talk to a counsellor at the college, or to one of the chaplains. They are here to help you do well. In fact, it is even better to sit down with one of them before things get out of hand. I don't think you will regret that you did.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.