College is stressful -- we all know that. There are ways to cope with your stress that are somewhat healthy, but definitely effective.
1. Acknowledge that you’re stressed
This is the only way you can cope with your stress. If you never acknowledge that you’re stressed, you’ll never be able to indicate the stressors and manage your time. You’ll ultimately end with a massive breakdown if you skip this step.
2. Identify your stressors
What exactly is it that’s stressing you out? Maybe it’s that twenty-minute presentation for that class that you really hate that you know you’ll end up doing most of the work for. Whatever it is, make sure that you identify that that is what is stressing you out.
3. Cry (optional)
Now would be a good time to get the crying out of your system. Obviously, this can be done at a later date if need be, but getting all of the frustration and tears out of your system now will only make the rest of the steps go by much easier.
4. Plan your time
Look at your schedule leading up to the project that’s stressing you out. Does it look a little full? If so, clear up certain blocks of time, such as meals or spaces you would typically binge watch five episodes of Criminal Minds in a row. Once you clear those time slots, you’ll have more time to do your work.
5. Block all social media and distractions
Yes, I mean all of them. No Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest— none of it. Turn your phone off if you need to. Isolate yourself from society. Make it so no one can reach you so no one can distract you from the focus you’ll likely obtain from this isolation. Don’t allow yourself any breaks— not even to watch that two-minute cat video on YouTube. In fact, block that site too.
6. Cry (optional)
If you didn’t do this at step 3, then you should probably do that now. Isolating yourself from all social interactions besides class will likely make you feel lonely, so it’s okay to cry now. But when you’re done crying, think of all of the work you’ll have done by the time this isolation period is over.
7. Caffeinate
You’ll likely end up pulling at least one or two late nights (or maybe even an all-nighter) trying to overcome your stress, so you’ll need plenty of energy to get through it. This is where the caffeine comes in. Buy at least one large coffee from the coffee shop in your library. If you have any sort of caffeine tolerance, or just don’t like the taste of coffee, also buy an energy drink. You’ll need that at the 2 a.m. mark.
8. Keep calm, but firm
You will absolutely want to freak out when your project partner tells you she can’t do yet another part of this project that’s stressing you out. But don’t freak out on her— that’ll only make her do less work, and make the project harder for you. Firmly remind her of her responsibilities, but don’t bring up when she was the one nagging you about the project. Also, don’t lunge at her when she says she’ll show up to the library when she gets there.
9. Cry
When she doesn’t show up to the library or insists that you are the only person with any free time to do these piece of the project that she’s avoiding, cry. This one is not optional because if you haven’t cried by now, you’ll likely lose it by this point. Let it all out. Then get back to work.
Step 10: Admit that a lower grade is not the end of the world
So what if you get a B, or maybe even a C- on this one project— it’s not going to kill your grade. Right?
11. Begin to run out of time
You’ll probably realize that you’ve run out of time to do half of the things you wanted to do. This is where you just throw everything into the presentation as possible and hope it turns out right.
12. Turn that bitch in
Show up to the class having not showered in two days and in the same sweatpants you’ve been wearing since Tuesday. Make sure you’ve probably noted on the project what work you did, to make sure your slacking partner doesn’t get any of the credit for it. Hand that bitch in, and smile— you’ve finally made it!
13. Sleep
Skip the rest of your classes for that day and sleep. You deserve it.
