Hi everyone! It’s the time of the year when students tend to have lots of deadlines for assignments, midterms to revise for or, if you’re a final year student, a final year project to start. Lots of people start spending day and night in the library and getting stressed about their coursework and exams. Here are my personal tips for dealing with this kind of stress to help you get through this time of the semester:
1.Time management
Students often get stressed when they feel that they’re running out of time to complete an essay or a report on time. Simple time management techniques can help you to feel relaxed and focused. I like creating a work schedule, breaking the tasks down into manageable chunks and planning my time accordingly. Also, try dividing your work into urgent and non-urgent tasks, and important and non-important tasks. This will help you to focus on getting the urgent and important tasks done and stop you from procrastinating on the non-urgent and non-important tasks!
2. Take breaks
When you’ve been working for a while and feel like you’re not getting anywhere – take a study break! Even if this is just a quick walk around campus or a catch-up with a friend, short breaks will help you to be more focused and concentrated.
3.Exercise regularily
It’s no myth that regular exercise releases endorphins – feel-good hormones that help you reduce stress and allow the mind to focus on something else. Personally, I always plan time for gym-sessions, runs and exercise-related hobbies, especially during stressful periods, as it helps me to relax and be more concentrated later on! This does not have to be particularly strenuous exercise, you could just go for a walk around town, go for a cycle or a casual swim!
4.Mindfulness
This is a relaxation technique originating in Buddhism, which can improve physical and mental health and significantly lower stress levels. There are plenty of free apps such as Calm or Headspace, which can help you to get into a healthy mindfulness routine.
5. Make time to socialise
Even if you feel like you have no time for anything but uni-work, try to make some time to spend with friends and family! Isolation can have an extremely negative impact on happiness. Even just realizing that the people around you are dealing with the same problems you are can massively help you and reduce your stress levels. I always feel so much better after seeing friends and it gives me the energy to tackle coursework and exam revision.
6. Eat well and get enough sleep
Eating healthily can have an amazing impact on anxiety and stress. Also, try not to drink too much coffee as caffeine can increase the symptoms of stress – tea is a much healthier option! Another thing that is super important is to get enough sleep, this will help you with memory and focus. And the more clear-headed you are, the less anxious you will feel.
