College is one of the largest developmental stages in a young adult's life. Throughout this process many students find themselves learning how to cope with the new stress and responsibilities of their adult lives. Positively and actively dealing with stress is one of the number one skills when it comes to a being happy college student. If you have an anxious or stressful nature, use some of these tips to limit or reduce your discomfort so you can focus on what college is really about!
Reduce time spent procrastinating is a pretty obvious tip, considering worrying about grades or being overwhelmed with school work is a primary cause of stress and anxiety for almost every college student. The key is in planning for what you need to get done rather than simply relying on your own motivation to not procrastinate. Leave yourself reminders on a calendar, sticky notes, planner, etc. The first step to avoiding procrastination is not forgetting about an assignment in the first place.The next thing is to use a reward system. Think of something you can reward yourself with, whether its buying yourself something new, or watching a couple episodes of your favorite TV show. If you reward yourself for getting your work done early, there is an incentive to keep that behavior up.
Remember to take time out of your busy schedule to do things that you enjoy. One of the number one ways of reducing stress is by participating in activities you enjoy, whether this is getting outside for an hour a day and walking around campus or taking some time to paint, draw, sing, or write. If you enjoy it, do it. In the midst of busy schedules we can at times forget about hobbies we have, and its so important to take time out of your day for you to sit back and relax.
Exercise! Even if you are not a fan of the gym, it is still important to get some sort of a physical workout everyday. Even 15 minutes of sit ups, a quick yoga session, or a walk at the park will get your endorphins going, your mind relaxing, and your body getting its daily dose of work. Exercise will help you sleep better and will relieve you, if even just for a few moments, of whatever you may be stressed or anxious about.
Talk to a friend, roommate, sibling, parent, etc. If you're feeling overwhelmed, reach out and talk to someone you trust! Odds are, they have probably been through a similar experience and can offer some helpful guidance to overcome your stressful mindset. Talking to someone else can also distract you from whatever is bothering you for a few minutes.
If you can't avoid that overwhelming feeling of stress and anxiety by taking measures to make sure it doesn't happen, then your only hope is to deal with it maturely and healthily. Although being stressed out or anxious can cause one to feel overwhelmed, discouraged, and just down right awful, it's important to remember that you need to keep your mind as calm as possible. Work will not do itself, and the more time you waste stressing over a school assignment or a busy schedule, the less you will get done. Try taking a moment to close your eyes and realize the world isn't ending, and even the worst possible situation probably won't matter in your life a year from now.
