Many people live busy lives, where they are constantly going 24/7. A good example of a community who may be considered the busiest is college students. Between classes, homework, study groups, clubs, and other new responsibilities, many of us find it hard to relax. This leads to a buildup of stress within us. While it can be overwhelming at some times, there are a few things you can do to effectively deal with your stress.
1. Get enough sleep.
Many college students are familiar with the late nights filled with homework and the all-nighters before large exams. While you may think you are getting things done and being productive, it can often lead to a toll on your mental state and be destructive toward your academics. For example, you pull an all-nighter before your big chemistry exam, trying to memorize everything. You didn't get any sleep, so your brain wasn't able to store your short-term memories as long-term, meaning you won't remember much when you go to take the exam.
2. Take control.
Take control of everything relating to what you want to get done to help you stay on track. For example, you need to focus and write a five page paper. Make it a priority to find a quiet place to work with minimal distractions.If you feel like you're able to control the situation, it will be less likely that you get overwhelmed and breakdown.
3. Stay organized.
Nothing stresses me out more than not knowing where something is or what I have to get done. One thing that is very helpful for college students is to have a planner. Personally, I have an app on my phone which has all my homework assignments, exam dates, class schedule, personal calendar, and a professor contact page. If I need to plan out my day and figure out what's going on, that's the first thing I check.
4. Manage your time.
Many college students find themselves with an overwhelming amount of free time. Now having breaks between classes and a day with only one class, it can be easy to get off track. Set goals for yourself to have certain things completed by a certain time, and stick with them. You don't want to waste your time all day only to be up until two in the morning working on homework that could have been finished around eleven.
5. Don't procrastinate.
An issue that I struggle with personally, procrastinating will set you up for failure. When you keep pushing things off in the moment, they only pile up for you later. It's important to work on assignments throughout the day and maybe you'll even have some free time when you finish later.
