How To Reduce Stress In College
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College is about youth, ambition, dreams, energy, and the drive to progress. In their early 20s, youngsters are determined to change the world and unburdened by memories of past mistakes. They find it easier to bounce back after life’s setbacks, and procrastination hasn’t yet taken over their minds.
However, even young people can sometimes struggle to cope with stress. Working late shifts or having a professor who just won’t let go and insists on rewriting that dreaded assignment can leave a stress mark. So, you need to learn how to deal with it. Here are some ideas to help you lower anxiety levels and stay on track academically.
Identify the Causes of Stress
This might sound strange, but you should follow the path every professor would approve of: identify the source of your problem. The key is to understand what is causing you the most stress right now. Ask yourself a series of questions:
- What’s bothering me right now?
- Why do I feel uncomfortable?
- Is this related to someone or specific assignments?
- How strong is the level of stress?
- Can I handle it on my own?
This approach is the most effective for managing stress more quickly. If the problem lies in short deadlines, you could read Write Paper For Me reviews and delegate some papers to professionals. There’s no need to write your essay at 3 a.m. heroically and then be surprised by low grades. If the issue is a lack of sleep, figure out ways to increase your rest time.
Time Management and Organization
One of the best ways to relieve stress in college is time management. Incomplete projects due to poor organization tend to create missed deadlines and last-minute cramming, as these further increase anxiety. A structured approach can help students regain control over their schedules.
So, first, get started using a planner, a calendar, or any other productivity app to track down assignments, exams, and other commitments. By breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps, large projects don’t feel so large. For example, if you’re going to write an essay in a single sitting but don’t want to cut yourself off immediately after you start, you could spend some time researching, drafting, and editing your essay over several days.
Another important skill is prioritizing tasks. The Eisenhower Matrix, a tool to classify tasks as urgent, non-urgent, important, or less important, could be considered. This approach lets you put high-priority work ahead of things you don’t like to do. Then, create a study routine and set definite goals for each session.
Build Healthy Habits
Battling stress depends on how well you manage your physical and mental health. Specifically healthy habits will help you significantly to be able to handle challenges. Workouts release endorphins; regular exercise, 20 to 30 minutes daily, is beneficial. Jogging, yoga, or even dancing can help relieve the tension and improve mood. But it also all comes down to nutrition.
Plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains make up your meals, and you get the energy you need through a busy day. Caffeine and junk food may be quick fixes, but during late-night study sessions, they only result in crashes and exacerbate anxiety. Lastly, get around 7–8 hours of sleep a night. Focus, memory, and emotional regulation all require sleep.
Mindfulness practices such as meditation or deep breathing help calm an overactive mind. Guided exercises like those in apps like Headspace or Calm are great for beginners. Another thing you can use to process your emotions and think about your daily experience is journaling.
Develop a Support System
College can be isolating sometimes, so a good support system must be built. Having friends, family, and mentors to help encourage and give perspective when it’s hard to help. Connect with our peers who are interested in the same topics or may have the same academic goals as yours. Part of joining clubs, organizations, or study groups can give you a sense of belonging and a feeling of community.
But also, don’t hesitate to take advantage of campus resources beyond friendships. Most colleges offer counseling, where trained professionals assist you with stress and develop coping strategies. They can also help handle your coursework or rearrange your schedule if the situation worsens. Living away from home can help support you if you are in regular contact with family. A call or video chat with loved ones is a quick way to get grounded when things get tough. It doesn’t matter; you are not weak enough to reach out for help. That is an action towards self-care.
Learn to Say No
Setting boundaries is one of the most overlooked areas of stress management. It’s easy to overcommit when you’re in college. Finally, we’ve got to spread ourselves too thin, too many extracurricular activities, taking extra shifts at work, saying yes to everything social, and we’ll burn ourselves out.
One of the skills that will protect your time and energy is learning to say no. Keep politely declining requests or invitations that do not suit your priorities. Let’s say you have an important exam. It’s fine to miss out on a night out with friends or give up a volunteer opportunity. Boundaries are setting respect for your limits to allow you to put your focus where it counts.
This content was produced independently from the Worldcrunch editorial team.