College can be a stressful time. You might be incredibly busy with school, a part-time job, and extracurricular activities all competing for your attention. You’re also probably living away from home for the first time, which can be exhilarating but also daunting. In addition, the stakes can feel very high. You may need to maintain a certain grade point average to keep getting your funding or ensure admittance to graduate school. With all of this in mind, it’s no wonder you’re feeling stressed out, but the tips below can help.
Seize More Autonomy
“Do more” may not sound like the solution to reducing stress, but having less control over your life can be much more stressful than having more. As a student, it’s likely that you’re frequently stressed about finances just because students tend to not have as much money as they need. However, if you take a bigger role in managing your budget, if this is not something you do already, you can feel much more in control of things. Also, knowing “who can write my term paper for me” will help save energy and possibly money (if you have already used the services of low-quality writers).
It can also help to get a student credit card. Although you should try to avoid using it for everyday expenses if you’re not going to pay it off each month, it can feel good to know that it is available in case of emergencies. Knowing what card to get can be difficult when you’ve never had one before, but a student guide to credit cards can help you better understand your choices.
Give Yourself Down Time
When you’ve got three papers to finish, a big exam coming up, and a few work shifts to get through, it can feel like you don’t have a minute to spare. Every second needs to be productive. While making the most of every moment can seem like the key, it’s counterproductive because no one can keep up this pace indefinitely, not even a healthy young college student. Schedule in some time to put away your phone and just stare into space or do anything else that is as low-key and undemanding as possible.
Talk to Others
Talking to your friends, family, professors, advisor, and others can be a big help in reducing the stress you’re feeling. In some cases, it can be helpful just to vent. In other situations, they may be able to give you actionable solutions. Your school probably also offers counseling and other resources if you feel like you need additional help.
Get Physical
Taking a walk, going for a run, or engaging in any other form of exercise is a great stress buster. It’s a terrific way to get out of your head and work off some of the nervous energy that’s coursing through your body. It can also be helpful to just get out in nature, even if you aren’t moving around very much. If you’re pressed for time but the weather is decent, take your schoolwork to a park or someplace else where there are plenty of trees or other nature around. Give yourself little mindful breaks where you spend a few minutes just soaking it all up.
