How To Deal With Second Semester Stress

It seems like the end of the second semester is when professors decide to pile on all this work that no one saw coming. Or maybe if you’re like me you’ve been procrastinating that project or research paper for as long as you can. Either way, the stress of piled up work is no fun and with the added doom of upcoming finals, ones brain can begin to clutter. Here are some tips on how to stay on top of your game and get all of that work and studying out of the way with no added stress!

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Time Management Is Key

 It seems like something you’ve probably heard over and over again, but have you ever put it to work? Time management is an essential part of getting through tasks in an orderly and timely fashion. To start off small, develop a routine you are comfortable with and are sure to follow. Keep a calendar with due dates, appointments, and other important events so you aren’t stuck doing an assignment the night before it’s due. If you know you have multiple things to do for multiple assignments, give each class an allotted time depending on most important to least. Once times up for one thing move on to the next so you’re getting a chance to go through everything rather than focusing all your attention on one area and neglecting the others.

Prioritize

Giving each assignment attention is crucial, but in the case that one task might be more important than another, finish it first. There’s a feeling of accomplishment being able to cross something off your to-do list so use that adrenaline rush to give yourself the push to do more. Don’t convince yourself that watching that netflix episode is more important than that paper because I promise you, it’s not. Prioritizing your work will not only help eliminate some responsibility, but aid in decreasing stress levels.

Health Over Grades

When it comes to college, a lot of students put their health on the back burner. Be it not eating or sleeping enough, letting stress and anxiety ruin your day, it is never okay. A couple sleepless nights here and there may seem okay, but it’s when it becomes a routine that there’s a problem. Skipping dinner to study late at the library or running on coffee all day also seems like a great idea in the moment, but all of that changes in due time.

I learned this the hard way when I saw my health deteriorating and grades slipping one semester. I wasn’t sleeping for more than 3 hours each day, dinner was completely cut out of my routine because my body had gotten so used to not having it. I thought it was okay until my sleep schedule was so messed up I couldn’t keep my eyes open in class or sometimes even make it to class. This further added stress and anxiety as my grades began to slip and I let it ruin my life.

 It may seem like a good idea to stay up studying for that test, to feel the satisfaction of seeing that “A,” but that headache from not sleeping will last longer, that racing of your heart won’t stop because downing coffee and redbull was your only means to stay awake and full, and that stress will eventually weigh you down.

Take Time To Yourself

The most important part of any tough situation is relaxation. It sounds like the opposite, but taking time to yourself can clear up a lot of the clutter in your head. Even though you have work piling up and finals right around the corner and it feels like the world is closing in on you just breathe… Take a step back to reevaluate the situation and tell yourself it’s okay to forget about it for maybe just an hour. Take a nap, read a book, watch TV, do something that’s for yourself.

Just like making health your number one priority, make setting time aside for yourself a priority too. It’s not slacking, it’s putting yourself first. So if you’re in over your head right now worrying about that research paper or project, just simply take a step back and tell yourself you’ll get back to it.

When Enough Is Enough

If you’ve tried all of these things and feel absolutely hopeless like the stress is becoming too much there is one more option. Many people don’t take their stress seriously, but if it’s come to a point where nothing is working and you are unable to go on with day to day life, talking to someone if the best option.

The majority of universities offer counseling services which are covered in your tuition. Take the opportunity to find out more information by going to your schools counseling services and seeing what they have to offer. It’s a big step to admit there’s something not right and it’s not easy at all, but its the first step on the path to bettering yourself.