MANAGING ACADEMIC
STRESS
By Emma Shehan,
Contributing Editor
Your school years are some of the best and most fun times of your life, but they can also be some of the most stressful. Dealing with more challenging work, part-time jobs, social obligations, and extracurriculars can easily become overwhelming. Everyone feels stressed at some point, but learning how to deal with that stress and manage it in a positive way can make all the difference. Below are some tips on how to deal with academic stress:
#1. Make a List.
Writing out a to-do list to help organize your thoughts and see all of your tasks in a more concrete way can help to break things down when you’re feeling especially overwhelmed. Once you’ve written out what needs to be done, you’ll be able to more clearly prioritize it and set your goals. Plus, you’ll get an extra sense of accomplishment once you check off each task!
#2. Don’t Procrastinate!
One sure-fire way to increase your stress levels over an assignment tenfold is to leave it until the last minute. You’ll save yourself from succumbing to that stress if you start working earlier instead of finishing it the night before. I’d often find myself procrastinating over work that I was feeling especially overwhelmed or worried about, which only made the task seem more daunting and scary. Identify the reason why you’re procrastinating and address it, you’ll feel much better once it’s done and out of the way. Chances are your work will be better too if you’re not feeling the time-crunch to finish it.
#3. Take Time for Yourself.
This is a bit of double-edged sword. If you’re feeling the pressure from a growing number of assignments, making time for self-care can feel a bit counter-productive. You might want to dedicate as much time as possible to getting everything done, but you’ll risk burning yourself out. The best approach is to schedule time for schoolwork, but also schedule self-care time - whether that means reading a book, watching a movie, seeing friends, or playing sports.
#4. Talk It Out.
No matter what you’re feeling stressed out over, talking it out with someone else can do wonders for you. When it comes to academic stress, talking to a teacher, friends, or your parents can all help to alleviate your stress and perhaps even give you new insight or ideas. For example: if you’re facing writer’s block, try bouncing ideas off of your friends, or have them proof-read an essay. You may gain a new perspective and feel more confident and encouraged in your work!
Hopefully these tips are helpful to you in managing your school-related stress. Learning how to deal with stress can set you up for success not just in school, but in many aspects of life and is a wonderful tool for maintaining mental and physical health.