Hands down, no question in my mind: chapter 12 will probably be the most prevalent material these next few years of my life. We all heard the stories of how fun, yet stressful college life can be and now are living testament to that fact. College is definitely a stressful time in one's life, especially during finals. 
After reading chapter 12, I have a better understanding of how stress can affect myself mentally, emotionally, and of course, physically. This year, I also took part in a month-long REP study which measured how I currently handled stressful situations and then instructed me on how to improve those methods. With the help of this study, I have learned how to focus on something called present control. Present control teaches individuals to basically focus their efforts and concerns on present matters which are in an individual's control, rather than ruminating on the negative aspects of the situation. This study, conducted by Sam Hintz, has taught me to focus on aspects of life which I can control, such as how I handle a situation; is pointless for me to ruminate on my up-coming tests and finals by wishing I had more time to prepare-that isn't going to happen! Finals are set in place and will not move, so I should focus on what I can control about the situation (such as my mindset, behaviors, etc) instead of things which are out of my control. This way of thinking helps to decrease the ways in which my stress affects me. I feel as if these lessons on stress will be important throughout the rest of my life, especially the years spent here in college studying for high-stress situations.
moser144: April 2012 Archives
Take a minute to stop and think for once in your life. Put down your pen, your textbooks and highlighter. Are you currently in a relationship? Have you been in a relationship in the past? What characteristics do you look for when selecting someone to date? What characteristics serve as "turn offs?" Maybe you're not in a relationship right now because you know exactly what you're looking for, but just haven't been able to find 'that person' yet. What would that person be like? Would they share the same interests as you? Maybe they're quite your opposite. Specifically think about what it is that makes you happy in life when interacting with others in the world.
Psychologists have spent much time researching what makes individuals happy. They have shown us that many commonly believed myths are not correlated to happiness; money "can't buy long-term happiness," although it is "a bit related happiness." Psychology research also disproves the myth of happiness declining with old age. Not only does research show us what does not relate to our levels of happiness, but it has also found a few variables which are shown to be correlated to happiness:
1. Marriage
2. Friendships
3. College
4. Religion
5. Political Affiliation
6. Exercise
7. Gratitude
8. Flow
Watch the following video and see if you can pick up on any of the above mentioned eight variables.
"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8jTH61aoXI&feature=relmfu"
First impressions? The bride-to-be in this clip is clearly happy. She is about to be married (first variable) and surrounds herself with her many friends (second variable) when selecting her dress. She doesn't spend much time elaborating on exactly why she has decided to marry Chad Gaudin, a Yankee pitcher. Perhaps one of the major reasons is due to Chad's personal level of happiness. Being a professional baseball player, Chad obviously spends quite a bit of his time exercising; according to psychology, people who "exercise regularly tend to be happier and less depressed than people who don't."
Although this bride does not mention it in her interview, many brides on the hit TV series Say Yes to The Dress often speak of how they are about to marry their best friend. They elaborate on memories which their significant other in which the two display a close friendship, expressing a great deal of gratitude (variable seven). Another important variable is often key to a happy relationship: similar religious upbringing (variable four). Many brides-to-be mention falling in love with not only the person, but also the person's beliefs and morals.
So ladies, when it comes time to having to either pass or 'say yes to the dress,' remember this: you not only say yes to the dress, but also to the individual you will marry and your prospective level of happiness in your future years.
