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Thanksgiving is almost here! This season of gratitude, celebration, and preparation for the holidays can be exciting and fun, but this season can also bring added stress for our students. Our Liberty students are well-known for seeking excellence in all they do, but as we enter into the holidays, including wrapping up the first semester with academic midterms, it is important to seek God’s peace through Scripture and support from others. 

Stress is a natural response, and it is not always a bad thing. For instance, a healthy level of stress can motivate us to finish a project, stay focused on a difficult assignment, or even complete a race or sporting event.

However, stress can become overwhelming at times. In times of heavier stress, it is important to prioritize and seek God first. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” When stress begins to build, seek the Lord’s peace through prayer and Scripture. 

Then, make a plan. For students, this can look like breaking down large projects into smaller, manageable pieces. As our students prepare for midterm exams, they can create a plan of which subject to study and when. I recommend scheduling times on the calendar. 

Take breaks! Taking a break during a stressful season or challenging project can provide the refreshment needed to complete the task with excellence. When studying, set a timer and take a five minute break to get a snack, grab some water, or step outside. A short break can make the difference between burnout and successful completion. 

Practice gratitude. Stress can cause even the most optimistic people to feel overwhelmed with worries. Create a habit of gratitude by keeping a list of small things that you are thankful for. This list can even live on your phone. Hot coffee. Beautiful sunrise. New socks! From the smallest to the largest, focusing on gratitude is refreshing as well as contagious. 

Stay active. Many of our students are student athletes, so this may come easily to them. Seasons of stress, however, are often coupled with skipped workouts due to time constraints. Finding a few minutes for a short walk, taking a study break to throw the ball to the dog, or making time to stretch are all great ways to relieve stress and improve your mood. 

Share your concerns. Remember that we are a community of believers at Liberty. Our students do not have to carry their burdens alone. Students are encouraged to share with their parents, reach out to a trusted teacher, chat with their coach, or find the school counselor to share what is on their hearts and minds. As we seek wisdom and encouragement from those around us, we are often reminded that we are held close in the arms of our loving Father and supported by our friends and family. 

Rest in God’s promises. Create a list of favorite encouraging Scriptures. Keep that list on the phone, on a sticky note on the mirror, or on a notecard inside a textbook. Need a place to start? Try Isaiah 41:10, Joshua 1:9, and Matthew 11:28. 

What a blessing it is to be a part of a school community of faith and trust in Jesus where we can support one another, share joys and challenges, and encourage one another as Warriors!

Rikki Downing serves as the Director of Middle and Upper School Counseling at Liberty Christian School.