Stay Strong Under Pressure

A Student’s Guide to Handling Stress

This time of year can be both busy and exciting, with final tests to write and decisions to make regarding your future. We want to provide you with some tips and resources to help beat the stress.

Stay Organized
The best way to handle stress is to prevent it in the first place. Use an agenda or calendar to keep track of deadlines and create a to-do list so that you’re not scrambling to finish assignments the night before they’re due. If you have multiple deadlines in a short period of time, make sure you start tackling your work well in advance. Check out these academic skills resources to find a strategy that works best for you.

Laugh it Up
They do say laughter is the best medicine. It’s important to use your time effectively, but scheduling in some time for the things you love will prevent you from burning out. Give your brain a break by spending time with friends or watching a funny movie.

Don’t Sacrifice Your Health
Endless amounts of caffeine and late nights may seem like effective strategies to meet your deadlines, but they aren’t sustainable in the long run. To perform at your best, you need to feel your best. This means staying hydrated, getting the right amount of sleep, and eating a balanced diet.

Practice Mindfulness
In the fast-paced world we live in, it can be difficult to slow your mind. However, with a little practice, incorporating mindfulness into your daily life isn’t hard and it doesn’t have to take up any extra time. To be mindful means to be aware of your present thoughts and feelings. To practice mindfulness, find a comfortable place to sit, deepen your breath, and focus on how your body feels.