After completing the Life Stress Inventory, the Coping and Stress Management Skills Test, and the Type A Personality Survey, I gained a clearer picture of how I respond to pressure and where I need to grow. My stress score reflected a moderate level of life changes over the past year, nothing extreme, but enough to influence my daily mindset. The Type A assessment showed that I naturally lean toward competitiveness, urgency, and high personal expectations. The coping assessment confirmed something I already suspected: while I handle stress productively most of the time, I rely heavily on task-oriented coping and not enough on emotional or relaxation-based strategies.
What I learned about myself is that I often underestimate how much stress I carry. I tend to push through deadlines, responsibilities, and academic pressures without slowing down to recover. This mindset may help me perform in school now, but it’s not sustainable for a long-term professional career, especially in construction management, where deadlines, safety concerns, and coordination challenges create constant pressure.
As I move into my career, I can take several steps to manage stress more intentionally. Building routines that prioritize sleep, exercise, and downtime will be essential. Practicing emotional coping strategies, such as talking through challenges, journaling, or setting healthier boundaries, can prevent stress from accumulating. Most importantly, I need to recognize when I’m approaching burnout and take small actions early instead of waiting until I reach a breaking point.
Research shows that organizations are increasingly aware of stress-related health issues, including anxiety, chronic fatigue, and cardiovascular risks. In response, many employers are offering mental health benefits, wellness programs, flexible scheduling, counseling services, and stress-management workshops. Some companies promote mindfulness training, provide quiet rooms, or encourage movement breaks to support employee well-being. Understanding my own stress patterns now helps me enter my professional life with healthier habits and a clearer sense of what I need to thrive.