College is stressful, that much is obvious. The workload can be extremely overwhelming and it can be difficult to manage. You find yourself in a constant state of panic and anxiety when you look at everything you have to do and wonder when and how you're going to get it all done without having a mental breakdown. Well, hopefully, some of these suggestions will help you manage your workload and also combat the monster we call stress.
Make a to-do list.
Make a to-do list and break it down by time. Sometimes, it's easier to stick to a schedule when it's written out. Also, it helps organize your thoughts.
Buy a desk calendar.
I suggest a desk calendar because it leaves a lot of room to write down everything. It might seem overwhelming to look at all the tests and assignments that are due, but I find that it's nice to see everything written down so all of the assignments and due dates aren't swirling around in your brain.
Go to the gym.
Exercising is a great way to relieve stress because it releases endorphins and that makes you happy! Even if it's just for 30 minutes, it's a great way to take your mind off your work for a moment and focus on your own body.
Take a nap.
My favorite! Taking a little nap can help re-energize you and it's also a great way to relax your mind and body. Just be careful it isn't too long of a nap because you don't want your body to get ready to go into full night's sleep mode. If that happens, you'll end up waking up feeling worse than before you went to sleep.
Take a walk.
Taking a nice walk outside can also get you in the right state of mind. Sometimes stepping away from your work and just getting some fresh air can be really refreshing and help clear your mind for a bit.
Take a shower.
Taking a nice, hot shower can be incredibly relaxing. It especially can help with stress-induced headaches. Also, the feeling of being clean can feel rejuvenating and push you to get work done.
Make a homework playlist.
Making a playlist of your favorite songs can put you in a really good mood. So, why not listen to those songs while doing work? Also, if you have Spotify, there is a whole playlist dedicated to music you can listen to while doing work or studying.
Try to get ahead.
This applies to a lot of the reading assigned in college. If you have an opportunity, try to get the reading out of the way since that takes up a lot of time. That way, you have more time dedicate to written work.
Talk it out with friends and family.
Sometimes, talking about how stressed you feel with friends and family can help because they can offer you advice and positive reinforcement. Also, venting just feels good.
Don't leave work for the last minute.
This is also known as procrastination. Procrastination is one of my biggest weaknesses. I might be making a huge generalization, but I think most college students procrastinate. It's easy to put work off, but it will only lead to more stress. Just because you put the work off, doesn't mean it will magically go away on its own. It's hard, but forcing yourself to sit down and get the work done will feel much better than having it hang over your head.
We have all fallen victim to stress, at some point. Stress can be very detrimental to your health and well-being, especially while at college. If you can manage to do even a couple things from this list, it can make a world of difference. Beat the stress, don't let it beat you.
