School is in full swing, and that means stress levels are skyrocketing. I swear it's like every teacher thinks I only take their class and no others. Homework and tests are abundant. I come home from school everyday stressed and exhausted. Staying stress free seems to be getting harder and harder, but here are five tips that help me feel a little more sane.
1. Pick a study outfit.
This may sound a little silly, but pick an outfit that you can wear anytime you have to buckle down and get things done. Maybe that's a cute comfy romper or a pair of sweats and a t-shirt. If you decide to go with a pair of sweats, dress it up with a cute hat or a fun headband. If you are headed to a coffee shop or the library at a cute pair of shoes. When you dress comfy, your mind goes right to the mindset of "I can do that later" and "I'm so tired." Adding something a little fun will keep you focused.
2. Have a study spot.
For me this is anywhere there is a table, and a candle. Avoid studying or doing homework in your bed. It is too easy to get comfy and dose off. Pick a place that will keep you from napping on the spot, but isn't going to make you uncomfortable. It's also important to avoid areas that are loud. If you don't want to study at home, find a cute coffee shop or check out the library. Places like these are usually quite and offer a great environment for studying and getting things done.
3. Use a planner.
My planner is my lifeline. I write everything inside of it. My babysitting schedule, homework, game days and anything else that might come up throughout my week. Planners are also so helpful in preventing yourself from becoming over booked. With a planner, you can easily see what you have going on and if you actually have the time to take on another commitment. You don't even have to go out and buy a planner, you could simply use the calendar app on your phone.
4. Have a study group.
A study group doesn't have to be a group of people you get together with to study for a test. Find a few kids in your classes and make a group chat. This will make it easy to trade notes, and ask questions about things you don't always understand. Study groups are also great for studying. If you have a big test coming up, get together with a few people and go over the main topics of the test. If you don't understand something, it is likely that someone else in your group will be able to explain it to you.
5. Remember to breath.
Don't stress over things that you can't control. Once you have turned in that essay, forget about it. There is nothing left for you to do now, it is up to the teacher from here. As long as you did your best, there is no reason to worry. If you do poorly on a test, forget about it and move on. You can't changed what happened in the past, but you can work hard to do better on the other. One grade is not going to make or break you.
