“Life goes on.” For college students, this quote is often a lifeline that many cling to when things are getting rough. You know that eventually this situation will be over with, and in the past. However, the world rarely seems to give you a break when you’re at your peak level of stress. As adults, we are expected to continue on with life, as if our problems are not affecting our daily living. As a result, I’ve decided to compile a little list of ways to help college students find a way to push through the stress of studying to get through the stress of test-taking.
Breathe.
The first thing you should do when you’re feeling stressed is to take a few minutes to relax your mind. Move to a quiet place and focus on your breathing. Take a deep breath in, hold it for three seconds, and exhale. Repeat this until you begin to calm down. Research shows that consciously controlling your breathing is quick way to reduce stress on the body.
Set goals.
When you’re relaxed and ready to return to studying, try and set a goal for yourself. Many people find it helpful to set goals while they study, and they can be as simple as, I will learn this word and the definition within the next five minutes. But, even if it’s a simple goal, it still feels rewarding to accomplish it. So, set multiple goals to help push yourself through! Don't set goals for yourself that seem beyond reach, try sticking to small, manageable goals that will help build your confidence as you complete them. An example of this would be the previously mentioned goal instead of saying that you will study for the next three hours. Knowing you're goal time is three hours away can be daunting, and take away from what you are trying to accomplish at the moment.
Reward yourself.
Reward systems have long been shown to be effective in psychological research. After you reach the goal you set while studying, you should reward yourself. Rewards can come in many forms, such as listening to a song you enjoy, allowing time for social media, or even spending time with friends. Although food is not always the healthiest option, you could reward yourself by waiting to eat a snack until you’ve reached your studying goal.
Know your limits.
It is important to know your limits as an individual. Research has shown that studying sessions should only last about 20-30 minutes before one should take a short break. This technique is often referred to as the Pomodoro Technique. Taking a 5 to 10 minute break after studying allows for the brain to properly absorb the information it was just learning. This break can also give you a quick moment to relax before you begin again.
Get some sleep!
This one is a no-brainer. The recommended amount of sleep for adults is between seven and eight hours of sleep a night. However, research has also shown that taking naps throughout the day can help to refresh or “restart” your brain. So, if you’re feeling like you absolutely cannot stay focused anymore, perhaps it is time to try a 30-minute cat nap to reset your body!
Do you have any other tips or suggestions for me? Leave me a message!
