We’ve all been there. Classes are in full swing and it doesn’t feel like there can possibly be enough hours in the day. Mid-terms and exams are piling up, and the millions of pages of readings assigned from your professors aren’t exactly gonna read themselves. Not to mention that one of your clubs is meeting tonight, you have a paper due tomorrow, and you’ve meant to hit up the gym for the past two days without seeming to find the time. You’re trying to balance your social life with all these clubs and extracurriculars while simultaneously conquering a constant stream of work. So how do you possibly relax?
Although college is an amazing time, it can also be incredibly busy, and oftentimes overwhelming. This dilemma is especially prevalent on a campus like ours where it often feels like everybody is constantly involved. However, in order to succeed both academically and within our personal lives, it’s essential that we learn to take care of ourselves and manage all the stress which comes with attending a high achieving school. Developing strategies to keeping our stress under control is a lifelong skill, but to get you started here are some quick tips!
-
Exercise and eat right. These two pieces of advice may seem like no-brainers, but are often left in the dust. When we become overwhelmed with the amount of work on our plates, we often disregard our basic physical needs. We eat too much or too little, and often find ourselves consuming unhealthy foods. For college students specifically, junk food often goes hand in hand with late night studying. So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed with work, grab a piece of fruit and go for a walk or jog before returning back to work and you’re likely to feel more energized and productive when you return.
-
Seek out support. Asking for help can be challenging for many, but it honestly does not have to be. If stress and anxiety are interfering with your life, it is often extremely beneficial to find guidance and support. This can be done professionally through an appointment at the counseling center or on a more casual basis speaking with your friends. Do not keep the stress you experience bottled up inside. Having someone to vent to and talk with can often make a world of difference.
-
Cut down on the caffeine. This may seem counterintuitive when you’re struggling to keep your eyes open in the middle of the night finishing a term paper but the statement rings true. Although caffeine can be great for that instant boost of energy, high amounts of it can also seriously interfere with your sleeping habits and make it difficult to focus and work productively. A cup or two is fine, but make sure not to overdo it on the coffee, as it may end up doing more harm than good.
-
Improve your time management. Not managing your time effectively can often trigger some serious stress and anxiety. Here on campus we have a fantastic Academic Resource Center which runs regular workshops to help students learn how to manage their time effectively and work productively and efficiently. Attending these workshops is a great investment to learning and working on mastering this crucial skill.
-
Turn off the technology. In our modern world, especially amongst our generation it often appears that we are attached at the hip to our phones. Although our phones are important in allowing us to stay connected and in a loop of everything happening on campus, their distraction can have a highly counterproductive influence when trying to concentrate and study. Furthermore, overly attaching to your phone can create increased anxiety when it is taken away and this dependence can become incredibly unhelpful. So next time you’re cracking open the books, turn off your phone. All your notifications will be there when you turn it back on, but for now just focus on your work and getting it done free of distractions.
-
Sleep. But actually. A recent study conducted by the Journal of Adolescent Health found that less than a third of college students receive the recommended eight hours every night. Furthermore, approximately 68 percent of college students surveyed reported that worries about school and life keep them awake. Although it’s often challenging to let yourself rest up when it feels like there are a million and two thing left on your to-do list, it’s crucial that you prioritize finding this time to rest. Sufficient sleep is essential to academic performance, but also plays a critical role in regulating your emotions and maintaining a positive attitude and perspective.
-
Treat yourself. This does not necessarily need to be huge indulgences, but rather little rewards for your hard work. This could mean buying yourself that drink you’ve been craving from coffee grounds this week or cuddling in your bed and watching your favorite show after a hard day’s work. These little rewards will give you something to look forward to in times of stress and will allow you to unwind after a long day of work and responsibilities.
-
Let go of perfectionism. I am not perfect. You are not perfect. Even that girl in your 8am class who seems to have everything miraculously together all the time is not perfect. In college it’s so easy to resign to the pressure of freaking out about tests and grades all the time but at the end of the day it is not worth it. Achieving high standards and doing your best are great, but perfectionistic standards are not helpful for anyone. Be sure to set realistic goals for yourself and don’t worry about what everyone else is doing. You do you girl!
-
See challenges with perspective. In the moment, that Chem test you may or may not have bombed may feel like the end of the world. In reality, you probably didn’t do as bad as you thought. However, more importantly, in five years, will that one grade even matter? Life is short, and worrying about all your mistakes is just not worth your time and energy. You might not always get the A you were hoping for, but you did the best you could with the circumstances and that is all that matters.
- Live in the moment! Stress exists, but there is so much more to life than worrying. Everyday take a moment to appreciate all the incredible things in your life and make sure to live everyday to the fullest.