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78 maskmatters.org FALL - V9 -{DID YOU KNOW?} When college students are aware of their feelings, they can better manage their emotions.
F
or most students, college life can be emotionally charged and emotionally
challenging. Being away from friends, family, comfortable routines and
familiar social relationships can bring feelings of anxiety, sadness, even loss—
all making the case for college students to be tuned in to their emotions and
hone their ability to understand and cope with them.
In a 2014 article for The Washington Post, Diana Divecha, a developmental
psychologist and research affiliate of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, and
Robin Stern, a psychoanalyst and associate director of the Yale Center for Emotional
Intelligence, explain the importance of emotional intelligence in college students.
“Students need real emotional skills,” they write. “There is a large and growing
body of research that suggests that the skills of emotional intelligence...are correlated
with positive outcomes across the entire age spectrum, from preschool through
adulthood. Emotions affect learning, decision-making, creativity, relationships and
health, and people with more developed emotional skills do better. Among college
students, skills of emotional intelligence are linked to engaging in fewer risky
behaviors whereas self-esteem is not.”
For college students, the ability to recognize and communicate their own
feelings—as well as recognize the emotions of others—signals high emotional
intelligence, which can affect:
Performance – Having high emotional intelligence can help you navigate the
social and academic dynamics of college life. It can also help as you look at life
beyond college and begin exploring a career. Many companies today rate emotional
intelligence as important as technical ability and employ EQ testing before hiring.
Physical health – If you’re unable to manage your emotions, you’re most likely not
managing your stress either. This can lead to such health issues as high blood pressure,
suppressed immune system, and increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
Mental health – Uncontrolled emotions can impact mental health, even leading
to anxiety and depression. An inability to cope with feelings and emotions may affect
your ability to form strong relationships, leaving you feeling lonely and isolated.
Relationships – Being in tune with your emotions and knowing how to cope
with them makes it easier for you to express your feelings with others.
This allows you to communicate more effectively and develop stronger
relationships.
Social intelligence – Recognizing our emotions connects
us to the world around us. Social intelligence enables us to
recognize friend from foe, measure another person’s interest
in you, reduce stress, balance our nervous system through social
communication, and feel loved and happy.COLLEGE LIFE SKILLS
EQ ON CAMPUS
By // Michelle JacobyEQ QUALITIES
The Consortium for Research
on Emotional Intelligence
in Organizations identifies
four necessary qualities
for developing emotional
intelligence. These can be used
as a checklist when interacting
with others or working in class.-^ KNOW WHICH EMOTIONS ARE
FELT AND WHY. If you experience
an emotional reaction to a
situation or conversation, try to
recognize what you are feeling.
-^ REALIZE THE LINK BETWEEN
YOUR FEELINGS AND ACTIONS.
Consider how you would
normally respond to this situation
before you take action.
-^ RECOGNIZE HOW FEELINGS
AFFECT YOUR PERFORMANCE.
This is very important for class
performance. If you’re “in a
bad mood,” this negativity may
prevent you from doing your
best, maintaining motivation
and sustaining self-confidence.
-^ HAVE A GUIDING AWARENESS
OF YOUR VALUES AND GOALS.
As an example, most students
want to perform well in
class, so use this as a goal or
purpose for recognizing and
managing your emotions.