It’s reaching that time of year where uni work is getting serious, and exams are beginning to once again loom on the horizon. For third years, this is when you realise that after several months of ‘planning’, you haven’t actually started your dissertation yet. Cue a full blown meltdown. This panic results in you making helpful lists in order to prioritise your time better, only to waste hours of precious time doing so. In turn, this inevitably leads to a trip to the pub for ‘one drink’, resulting in you getting paralytic to forget about your problems and then waking up painfully hungover the next day. We’ve all been there, and while it’s somewhat inevitable to feel snowed under, it’s important to try and find ways to get round it. If not, you might end up like this:
I’ve compiled some ideas to better combat your stress that may seem obvious but are often neglected. Fear not ‐ the finish line is (almost) in sight!
Exercise
Exercise is one of the best ways to relax when you are feeling completely overwhelmed, but many of us don’t make time for it and deem it a distraction. Taking a long walk as a revision break, or going to a few classes a week at the gym could do you a world of good and help you to clear your head. It will also help you to feel extra slinky when you go out to celebrate finishing all your work!
Food
Food should always be on the agenda, even when you’re stressed. Try to steer clear of energy drinks while you’re working, because whilst they give you a short‐term caffeine buzz, you’re likely to build up a tolerance to them. This means that after a while you will need several to get the buzz that you used to get after one can! Food prepping for the library is also important because you save yourself money and also don’t need to resort to the standard panic meal deal that leaves you bloated and with a temporary sugar high. I would advise that you treat yourself during these difficult periods, because going out and drowning your sorrows (sadly) isn’t always the most practical option. Luckily Leeds isn’t short of a takeaway place or two, so you can always convince your housemates to invest in a feast as a reward…
Sleep
Firstly, this is not the kind of sleeping I mean:
Instead, try to get some actual sleep during stressful periods, rather than staying at the library until you pass out or open your tenth energy drink of the day. We can all get carried away sometimes, but it’s important to remember sleep is as integral to revision as you working. If you are lucky enough to have a bath in your home, a nice hot soak with lots of bath bombs is the perfect way to unwind and take your mind off things.
And if all else fails and you’re at your wits end…
Go to your nearest supermarket and grab a bottle of your favourite tipple. I’m not advocating a bottle of vodka in one sitting here guys, but sometimes the best way to completely let go of your stress is via a glass (or two) of wine. Not so much that you get too drunk and spend the next day unable to move, but just enough to numb the worry for a little bit.
NB: Only use this as a short term fix, I can’t promise any long term benefits will come from this…
Images:
1. http://media.philly.com/images/istock‐exploding‐head.jpg
2. My own