‘Did anyone force you to become a Student Leader?’

On “Stress & Wellness” ❤️

Orientation for Newly Elected Student Leaders

30th June 2023, Anderson Hall ❤️

The Orientation Programme for all the newly elected Student Leaders, started sharp at 3 pm in the Anderson Hall, today.

Dr. Rani George, Professor of Criminal Justice, Albany State University, Georgia, USA, began the programme, by asking the Student Leaders to give their opinion on the questions,

‘What does Wellness mean to you?’ and ‘What does ‘Stress’ mean to you?’

Newly elected Student Leaders [who were elected just the previous day], gave some interesting answers.

Dr. Rani then gave a presentation on ‘Stress and Wellness’ for the Student Leaders.

A Few Rewarding Excerpts from her Talk –

‘Did anyone force you to become a Student Leader?’, asked Dr. Rani George.

‘No’ came the reply from the students.

‘Well, then, you must know how to manage ‘stress’ effectively in your life, especially as a Student Leader’, she said, and added -

Stress is a very normal reaction to everyday pressures, but it can become unhealthy when it upsets your day-to-day functioning.

Stress involves changes affecting nearly every system of the body, influencing how people feel and behave.

By causing mind-body changes, stress contributes directly to psychological and physiological disorder and disease and affects mental and physical health, reducing the quality of life.

You’ve got to have a good support system with similar leaders.

For example, I love reading/watching cartoons, comedy movies, laughter is the best medicine, etc.

And when I feel, I’ve got too much of papers to evaluate, then I stop the work and take a walk.

Walking is a good therapy. This apart, sleeping is also a good therapy.

When I was your age, I used to finish up on all my work well ahead of time, and then go to sleep. And yes! I used to sleep for nine hours.

Some may tell you that, if you’re stressed, you should take alcohol. But it’ not at all therapy; neither is it good for your health in any way, 

said Dr. Rani George.

Then Dr. Rani gave some possible, practical solutions to handle stress.

Time Management is a very important step to handling stress.

She outlined quite a few ideas for the Student leaders as follows –

Create To-Do Lists, and enjoy crossing out on completed tasks.

Create a Calendar on your phone and/or Computer helps a lot.

Set Time Limits, and note down carefully all your distractions.

Are phone/whatsapp conversations taking up too much of your time?

When you think there’s too much on your plate, learn to say ‘No’.

On Good Stress-Busters, Dr. Rani George said –

Take a walk.

Do some good exercise.

Eat a balanced diet.

Have sufficient sleep.

Stop using nicotine, alcohol or drugs.

Spend time on Yoga, Tai Chi, Prayer etc.

Reduce triggers of stress.

Set realistic goals.

Practice letting go.

Learn assertiveness.

Don’t take too much on you.

Examine the values you live by.

Then she outlined valuable points on identifying Stress in Peers.

Always be mindful of others’ privacy and do not cross your limits.

Look for signs of stress in your friends/peers.

Are they looking sad, depressed or totally uninterested in life?

Are they ‘more angry’ or snapping at friends often?

Have they lost interest in studies, or losing their concentration, etc.

Recognise their problem, and then refer them to a Counsellor for therapy, if needed, 

signed off, Dr. Rani George.

The Orientation was well-received by the student leaders, numbering 120.

The programme was coordinated by Prof. Sridhar, Vice Principal [Admin], Dr. Jannet Vennila, Vice Principal [SFS], Mrs. Jemimah, Student Counsellor, and Dr. Rufus, Associate Dean of Student Affairs (Aided).