With the prospect of finals looming in the distance, it is natural to feel a bit stressed. After all, the big projects for every one of your classes are all somehow due in the exact same week. No one blames you for wanting to curl up in a corner and hide from all your responsibilities until finals are at an end. While crawling into a dark hole to wait out the storm of college life might seem attractive at the time, I can promise the result will not be pretty. So, instead of giving up on passing your classes and folding to the stress in your life, here are seven ways to try and reduce stress.
1. Take a small time out.
It is easy to have a stress-dominated life if you feel like you have no time for anything enjoyable. Instead of staring at the pile of assignments you have to do and trying in vain to gain some sort of motivation, take a little break. I do not mean sit down and binge watch a TV series on Netflix. I mean an episode between tasks you need to accomplish. It gives your brain time to relax and wander and allows you enough time to avoid panic.
2. Treat yourself.
This can be anything from grabbing something to eat from your favorite restaurant before a major study session or going to get your nails done. It is fine to reward yourself for all the hard work you have accomplished. Just make sure that you can afford your treat.
3. Spend time with others.
This may not be for everyone when they feel stressed, because, let's be honest, sometimes people are stressful. However, I think it is a lot easier to get overwhelmed when you have to study for organic chemistry or microeconomics all by yourself. Sometimes work with others and getting their input on what you are doing can reduce stress. Instead of shouldering the burden of studying all by yourself, you have people to share the burden with. Plus, maybe someone in the group understands something you do not. That can only help you on a final.
4. Clean.
This might also not be for everyone. For me personally I find that cleaning is a way not only to relieve some of my stress, but to also do something productive. I do not feel productive when I spend a full 20 minutes staring at one sentence of my research paper trying to think of what comes next. Even tidying something small like my study space or my makeup drawer gives me the freedom to let my mind wander and perhaps come up with that next sentence. All I know is that when I return to sit back down and get to work, I have one less thing to worry about.
5. Get some sleep.
Staying up all night to study for a test or to finish a giant research paper is a common occurrence among college students. This is not healthy, and it does not reduce stress. The human body needs sleep to operate to its full potential. Being tired will not prepare you for the tasks to come in the morning. It will result in a lack of focus and an increase of stress. If at all possible, avoid the infamous all-nighter.
There are so many ways to reduce stress. Find one or two and look to them when you start to feel overwhelmed with the pressures of college life. You will definitely benefit from taking the time to relieve a little bit of stress.
