College should stretch you, not break you. Yet too many students hit campus already weighed down by deadlines, expectations, and a newsfeed that never sleeps. College student stress is real, but you don’t have to accept burnout as a rite of passage. After years of counseling undergrads, I’ve learned four (surprisingly counter-intuitive) life rules that help you slow down, surrender control, and thrive. Questions about GLCC? Contact us here.
Psychology shows our brains were never designed to sprint at the pace of constant pings, global headlines, and everyone’s opinions 24/7.
No wonder anxiety and exhaustion keep breaking records. God didn’t intend us to “power through” alone; He built us for rhythms of rest, humble dependence on Him, and supportive community.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” – Psalm 23:1-3a
Those verbs—makes, leads, restores—call us to slow our roll and let Him set the tempo.
1. Slow Down
Fast is overrated.
Carve out some margin in your schedule, walk instead of scroll between classes, and choose one conversation at a time.
When you deliberately slow down, you notice God’s presence, friends’ needs, and your own limits before they scream for attention.
2. Practice Surrender
Control feels safe—until it doesn’t. Shannon Popkin’s Control Girl captures the hard-won freedom of letting God steer:
“God doesn’t want us making His promises come true; He wants us waiting on Him… As God shaved away the controlling parts of my heart, I felt free to love and to grow.” (Popkin, 2017)
Humbling? Absolutely. But the peace on the other side of surrender is worth every gut-punch to pride.
3. Fall in Love with That Textbook Again: the Bible
Yes, you’ve lugged it to every class and cited it Turabian-style. But Scripture isn’t a grade requirement; it’s a lifeline. Try this:
- Sit with Bible lovers. Passion sparks passion—grab a seat by the After Class Podcast crew.
- Layer your intake. YouVersion verse at breakfast, devotional with friends at lunch, podcast on your walk.
- Write questions in the margins. Interaction breeds insight; the Word is living.
- Use a physical Bible. Screens distract; pages focus.
When I combined these habits and protected a daily slot in my calendar, my love for God’s Word ignited like never before.
4. Pray: 12 Minutes a Day Changes Your Brain
Cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf found that praying aloud just 12 minutes daily for eight weeks rewires neural pathways, reducing anxiety, boosting empathy, and strengthening self-control.
Whether you speak, whisper, or groan, the Spirit meets you where you are. The key is showing up and opening your heart.
TL;DR* – Your Peace Plan
*That’s “too long, didn’t read,” for the parents of incoming undergrads reading this. 😉
Life gets loud, but you can manage stress in college by slowing down, surrendering control, soaking in the Word, and praying with intention. Lean into God’s promises and discover the peace that surpasses all understanding.
You’ve got this!
Visit glcc.edu to begin your GLCC journey. Questions? Fill out our inquiry form, email admissions@glcc.edu, or call 800-937-4522 (800-YES-GLCC)—we’re here to help!
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By Professor Marhley Parks-Teachworth, Psychology & Counseling, Great Lakes Christian College