Stress + Brain
How does stress affect concentration and focus?
It makes it harder to pay attention and remember.
What is the most common time of day that college students start homework?
After 9pm
What is self-care and how is it different when it's genuine versus inauthentic?
Activities or habits that genuinely restore your energy, instead of just looking like they are meaningful/helpful or restorative.
What is one activity that can boost mood chemistry in ~20 minutes?
Taking a walk.
Who can you talk to on campus if you’re feeling overwhelmed?
Counseling Center; your advisor; Julia + Johanna!
Which brain region kicks off the “fight or flight” response first?
The amygdala.
What is the #1 thing college students say they procrastinate?
Starting assignments.
Name one example of real self-care and explain why it is real self-care.
Sleep, movement, healthy food, boundaries, etc.
What is one 30-second panic-reset technique?
Deep exhale / box breathing / grounding.
What office supports academic success and time-management help?
Academic Success or our Tutoring Center.
How long does it typically take the body to physiologically calm back down after a stress spike?
About 60–90 seconds.
What is the average cost of caffeine for a college student per month — more or less than $70?
More — around $90/month is common.
What percentage of college students consistently get 8 hours of sleep?
Only about 25% + Alec
What’s the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise used for?
To re-anchor yourself in the present moment.
What campus resource helps with career planning or major concerns?
Career Services.
Why does multitasking damage memory? It forces your brain to constantly switch tasks, which breaks the memory encoding process
It forces your brain to constantly switch tasks, which breaks the memory encoding process
What is an ideal length for a productive study block before a break?
About 20–25 minutes
Why does doomscrolling increase anxiety?
The brain interprets negative content as threat, raising cortisol.
What is one boundary a college student might need to set for their mental health?
Example: “No texts after midnight.”
Where could you go if you needed accommodations for anxiety or mental health conditions?
Office of Accessibility and/or Dean of Students
Stress isn’t always bad — name one situation where stress actually improves performance.
Healthy, short-term stress (eustress) boosts focus — like before a game or exam.
What is the biggest predictor of whether students actually stay in college after Year One?
Feeling connected/belonging (not GPA).
We love our FYE Family!
What is the difference between comfort and self-care?
Comfort feels good short-term; self-care improves functioning long-term.
Which works better for stress recovery — 3 hours of free time at once, or 3 mini-breaks spaced out?
Mini-breaks spaced out — the brain resets more often.
What is the #1 motivator for students attending campus events?
Free food (followed closely by socialization/friends!)