5 Pieces of Advice to Destress in College
Stress-relieving tactics while studying for your college exam.
I am not going to lie to you, college is not easy. But that does not mean it cannot be very enjoyable and satisfactory as well. In fact, it can be both at the same time when having the right lifestyle. With some of the advice I will give to you in this post, you will be able to clear your mind and will have a good balance between work and fun!
1. Why am I stressed in the first place?
It is a good practice to first identify all the causes for your stress, before trying to provide a resolution for them. Nevertheless, I will tell you right now that the cause for your stress is probably that class presentation you are nervous about, that difficult exam that is getting closer and closer, or even the great amount of assignments a full-time student must complete.
Therefore, once the stressors are identified, then it would be a good idea to start dealing with each situation separately. Starting with your classes and assignments before any other priorities.
2. Giving yourself a break.
Personally, sometimes I feel like I am being lazy when I am actually just burned out. Speaking from my own experience, it is really hard to notice when or if you are overworking. In fact, usually, my friends and mentors are the ones to tell me when I am a workaholic. If you have been in a scenario in which you are working diligently, yet you seem to be underperforming in unexplainable ways, then perhaps it is time to take a break and do something you enjoy.
3. Don’t go through this alone! Talk to someone, get help!
Sometimes identifying the causes of your stress can be very difficult. This is especially true if you have a wide variety of responsibilities inside and outside school. As a full-time student, blogger, international ambassador, and SGA president, sometimes I just can’t quite figure out what is really making me lose control. Thankfully, most colleges provide counseling services both online and in person for you to use. Communication is key, and a professional psychologist will surely give you some advice with whatever issue you might be dealing with. Do not limit yourself to just counseling, however. Your professors, family, and experienced students may be open to helping you as well.
4. Set a smart schedule.
Although this was a topic for a previous post, it is still very prevalent for the subject of a balanced lifestyle. I try to reserve specific days or at least some hours of the week just to have fun, while also leaving time for my obligations and duties.
As a personal example, my family has always encouraged me to have fun and hang out with my friends on the weekends unless absolutely necessary. However, during weekdays I was always encouraged to study hard and finish my assignments completely before the end of Friday. You could even consider this a family tradition of mine. That is why I am encouraging you right now to do the same, or whatever other strategy that might work for you and fits on your schedule!
5. Sometimes you will have to let it go.
It is hard to admit it, but when it really comes down to it, an activity we really enjoy doing in addition to causing stress may also be negatively impacting other essential activities and obligations for a student. This can be a full-time job, an extra class, and even a routine yoga session that might be messing up your schedule.
Unfortunately, things we like may not be so beneficial to us or worth our time, prioritizing your education is imperative in this part of your life. In the end, no matter how productive a person can only do so much with their time, sometimes it will be better to quit that job or drop out of that class you like for your own sake, and for a healthier lifestyle.
Joao Magalhães from Brazil is studying mass communications at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Florida. His favorite things about Tampa are the weather, tourist attractions, and the friends he has made.