Feeling Stressed?
April 24, 2008
Stress 101- How to be a Student and Still Have a Life
Stress is a part of every student's life. It's tough to juggle papers, parties, friends, sports . . . But there are ways to get it all done. Take a look at the tips below. Learn how to manage your time without losing your mind!
Everyone feels stress at times.
You feel it. So do your friends. Even your teachers have stress. A
little stress is okay. But too much can ruin your mood, your day,
even the whole semester.
You know you're stressed if . . .
You're not sleeping. You feel nervous all the time. You forget
important things. You get sick a lot. You want to drop out. If
stress has taken over, it's time to take action.
When stress hits big, take a time-out.
Walk around the block. Clear your head. Breathe slowly in and out.
Close your eyes and picture a favorite place.Taking a few minutes
to regroup can help you get a handle on stress.
Take time for you.
Eat well. You'll be able to handle stress better. Exercise. It's
one of the best ways to help with stress. No time to exercise? Walk
to the library. Stretch at your desk. Take the stairs. Don't use
drugs, alcohol or tobacco. They're more likely to create more
stress.
Share your problems with friends and family.
It helps to talk things over with someone close. You'll feel less
alone. Ask for help. A friend could fix you dinner. A classmate
could help you study.
Sleep at night, not in class.
Without sleep you can't think straight or make good decisions. Try
to get at least 7 or 8 hours a night. An all-nighter may seem
like a good way to catch up on studying. Wrong. You'll crash the
next day - right in the middle of that exam!
You can't do it all! You're only human!
Learn to say no to extra activities. You'll have more time to focus
on what really matters. Remember, being too busy is a big source of
stress.
Plan ahead to avoid being too busy.
Take a few minutes each night to organize the next day. Always keep
your glasses, keys and class supplies in one place to avoid
last-minute panics. Consider making a weekly schedule.
Include time for study, exercise, friends and work.
Take it one day at a time.
You may feel extra stress during an illness, exams or a big
break-up. Take a deep breath. Then use the tips above to get
through it. Plan a reward for yourself when the crunch is over. If
you feel like you can't get through it, talk with a doctor or your
school counselor.
