“A little stress can be a good thing: it can be the motivational push that we need to get things done” – Anonymous
Sometimes, dealing with stress (especially for freshmen) can be a difficult thing to do. And, with an estimated 50-70% annual increase of university students seeking help for studies-related mental health issues, it’s clear that we’re under more pressure than ever before. So, here to your rescue are seven tips to help you through stressful academic period.
- Remember to breathe
Setting aside a couple of minutes every day to practice mindfulness techniques, such as breathing exercises, helps you to calm down your body’s stress response and shift your attention back to the present moment. In turn, this gives you time to rationally think through the anxieties you have, rid yourself of unhelpful thought patterns and enables you to deal with a large number of exams and begin more effective revision. - Eat, sleep and exercise well
Pulling all-nighters, surviving on a poor diet, and getting minimal amounts of movement into your day can increase symptoms of anxiety. For your body’s best performance, make sure you’re getting 8/9 hours of sleep, enough slow-release carbs, less caffeine and more water, and at least half an hour of exercise per day. - Reduce your sugar intake
Research shows that when you’re stressed, your adrenal glands release cortisol – a stress hormone – to manage it.
But cortisol also affects your blood sugar level. So, the more your sugar intake spikes, the more stressed you’ll feel.
Did you know that what happens in the morning has more effect on how your body manages stress than at any other time?
This is because your body sets its blood sugar “clock” based on what you do after you wake up. Here are some practical tips to help you reduce your sugar intake and maintain a healthy diet:
Don’t Skip breakfast.
Eat sugary cereals or candy.
Drink sugary drinks.
Do it a high-protein breakfast. Include eggs, peanut butter, oats or nuts. Eat 4 to 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day and more fish. - Set realistic goals
Setting realistic goals, whether you have several weeks, days or hours before your exam, helps you to put everything into perspective. Acceptance of your situation and working within the realms of what you have maximises your productivity without the risk of burning yourself out.
Understanding your nature and your optimum conditions, not being driven by what the majority is doing or pressurized but doing the things that suite you best and yield amazing results. - Don’t do it alone
Revising with peers is an effective study technique as it allows individuals to better absorb their own notes. Furthermore, the emotional benefits of social support tend to include a better sense of confidence and autonomy. Iron sharpens iron ,don’t die in silence and don’t think you know it all, engage in group discussions ,go for tutorials and practice questions (this is very Paramount to first year students) - Reduce your phone usage
Who would have thought your mobile phone could cause stress?
Research shows that overuse of mobile phones not only causes stress, but can also have a negative impact on your mental health.
So it’s time to get smart about your smartphone. Here are a few things you could try:
Check your social media feeds just once or twice a day.
Turn off all notifications.
Put your phone on airplane mode, or better still, switch it off after 9pm. - Learn and apply time management techniques
A study involving students revealed that those who had been taught time management techniques showed lower levels of exam-related anxiety than those who had not.
Proper time management helps in redeeming the time : being able to distinguish between an urgent and important things to do, do the urgent first!
Avoid emotional entanglement because of its potency to cause distraction.
Effective time management includes getting enough rest and a good night’s sleep, which leaves you feeling more energised so that you’re able to focus when studying.Managing your time well helps you to avoid feeling overwhelmed, so you’ll be less stressed.
I’m fully convinced that adherence to the listed Tips would help a long way and yield amazing results.More so, this article would not be completely edifying if I forget to tell you that there is a God-factor.This is the best time to do all that is required of you: your devotion and service to God (with respect to your belief).
[Stylo]
