College can be extremely hectic. School, studying, work, getting enough sleep, extra curricular activities, and having a social life can wear you out quickly. With so much pressure on millennial's to be over achievers in college, to ensure a job upon graduation (in a market that isn't so great right now), is extremely stressful and can be mentally draining. Sometimes it is difficult to find an equilibrium among the various activities and obligations you hold as a college student.
Over working yourself can lead to a vicious cycle of stress, lack of sleep, agitation, decreased motivation, and declining mental and physical health. Who wants that? College is supposed to be the best years of your life. It is the last time we are really allowed to let loose and have the most fun time possible. Instead of stressing about your future resume, you should be making the most out of your time left in college. Take a road trip, do a bar crawl, do spring break at an exciting destination , or do something out of the ordinary. Bottom line: don't let your other activities consume your life. I am not saying completely disregard the other important aspects of your life, but it is always good idea to loosen up and have fun.
Achieving a balance of working hard and playing hard doesn't have to difficult. With just a few small changes, you can create a better flow of your responsibilities. Who doesn't want to be less stressed and have more time to hang with friends? Check out these tips below to de-stress and find a better balance as a college student.
1. Get a calendar or dry erase board.
Sure, our phones are great for punching in deadlines and weekly assignments, but nothing beats a visual aid. Constantly seeing what you need to complete will remind you of what needs to get done and how much time you have to do so. It is easy to think that you have more then enough time for an assignment, then having it creep up on you out of no where. How many times have you waited until the night before something is due? Not only will you be stressing out, but you probably won't be producing your best work either. Visually seeing what and when you need to do something will help to eliminate procrastination. Get a calendar from Target and hang it up in your bedroom. They have a ton of cute ones to go with any decorum. If you're on the crafty side, check out hundreds of ways on how to make your own calendar on Pinterest.
2. Learn to say no.
It is easy to wear yourself thin when you sign up for more activities than you can handle. Sure, we all want to make a difference and change the world, but it is impossible to be involved in everything at once. Learning to set boundaries for yourself will greatly aid in a less stressful schedule. Know your limits. It is better to be involved with less activities producing the best work and giving it your all opposed to taking off more than you can chew and doing a shoddy job.
3. Organize.
This should already be a given but organization is the key to success. **Inset DJ Khaled joke here** No, but seriously, how can you expect to get anything done in a cluttered environment? Make sure your room is clean, your backpack is organized, and your notes are in order. Having everything all over the place will just add to your stress. Knowing exactly where everything is, is better than rushing around and freaking out that you can't find it. Make sure to create your own work space and keep it in order. Hanging your calendar here wouldn't be a bad idea either.
4. Make time for yourself everyday.
Whether it's watching Scandal on Netflix, hitting the gym, or enthralling yourself in a good read, always set time for yourself everyday. Having "me" time is essential for keeping your mental health in check. Making sure you set time for relaxation will help to distress and rejuvenate yourself. This is a great time to unplug yourself from your phone and social media. We all know how distracting social media can be.Take a break from everything and everyone and focus on your self, even if it is just for an hour.
5. Identify your triggers.
What makes you stressed? By simply asking yourself this question can help you to assess what exactly is making you stressed out. Too many activities? Not enough sleep? Procrastination? Make sure to identify what is making you overwhelmed. It can make a huge difference in you daily life. Not sure what is exactly making you stressed? Ask your mom or your best friend. They will be able to tell you what they think is making you stressed. It is always great to see someone else's perspective.Nobody knows you quite like your mother or your bestie!
