College is one of the most important stages in our lives. Throughout these formative years, many students find themselves learning how to cope with the new stress and responsibilities that come with becoming a real adult. Dealing with stress in a healthy way is one of the number one skills when it comes to a being happy college student. If you are extremely stressed (like me!), here are some of my tips to you.
Bye bye procrastination. Pretty obvious tip. Worrying about grades or being overwhelmed is the main cause of stress and anxiety for almost every college student. The key is to plan out what needs to be done as opposed to relying on your own motivation to not procrastinate. Leave yourself reminders on a calendar, sticky notes, planner, just basically everywhere. Think of something you can reward yourself with, whether its new clothes or Netflix. If you reward yourself it will keep you more motivated in the future.
Remember to plan room in your busy schedule to do activities that you enjoy. One of the number one ways to get rid of stress is to do things that are fun for you, whether this is hanging out with friends or taking some time to paint, sing or write. If you love it then make time for it.
Exercise your stress away! Even if you are not a fan of the gym, it can majorly reduce stress. Even jumping rope, taking a Zumba class or going for a walk at the park will get your endorphins going and start to relax your mind and body. Exercise will help you sleep better and for even help you feel better regardless of stress
Talk to a friend, roommate, parent, school counselor, etc. If you're feeling overwhelmed, talk to someone you trust! Odds are, they have probably been through a similar experience and can offer help to overcome your stress. Talking to someone else can also distract you from whatever is bothering you for a few minutes. Also, most colleges offer free counseling, which I utilize at my school and highly recommend.
If you can't avoid that feeling of stress by taking steps to prevent it, then deal with it in the most healthy and best way you can. Although being stressed out can cause you to feel overwhelmed or discouraged, it's important to remember that you will get through this and use these helpful tips. Work will not do itself, and the more time you waste stressing over school assignments and busy schedules, the less you can get done. Try taking a moment to close your eyes and realize that everything will be okay in the end, and even the hardest times don't last.
