Self-check your stress level regularly so that you can be aware of how you feel. Stress in itself is not a bad thing. How you deal with it determines whether its impact is going to be negative or positive. College life is stressful at different times for many reasons, affecting every student at some point. Acknowledging when you are experiencing stress is an important factor in managing it.
Ask for help from available resources. Colleges and universities recognize that their students often deal with stressful situations, whether school-related or personal. As a result, schools normally have counseling centers, special services, supportive programs, workshops and clubs to help students deal with stress and succeed in college.
Build your social support network. It is important to build and maintain relationships and partnerships at your school. Friends and peers provide opportunity for relaxing and having fun, while also providing you with a support network when you are struggling with something or just need a little help. A lot of stress can be managed just by talking to someone about your feelings. Stress-busting benefits of a support network include: opportunities to laugh, feeling of belonging, increased self-esteem and security.
Reduce or eliminate things in your life that are causing you stress. Often stress comes from an imbalance. Spending too much time studying or too much time having fun can both cause stress. You can manage stress by making sure you have a good balance between the two. Keep in mind that in order to maintain productivity, your body needs to sleep, eat and relax too. If one area of your life is negatively affecting another area, you need to find a better balance.
Manage time effectively by prioritizing your tasks and attention. Try your best not to procrastinate, and find out exactly what is expected of you. Tasks and requirements can quickly mount in college. Knowing when individual items are due and planning accordingly help to reduce the stress of being overwhelmed. Prioritizing tasks also helps you focus on what is important at the right time. Being organized in this manner will help eliminate much of the stress associated with your coursework and result in optimized production.
Know the difference between what you can control and what you can't. Wasting time trying to control or change something that is impossible will only cause you to feel stress. Accepting that some things are beyond your control allows you to choose not to feel stressed. As a result, you can redirect your energy and efforts to something productive. Those things that you can control and would like to improve are worth your effort. Succeeding in areas you have control over will boost your confidence in being able to deal with those things you can't control. So overall it is a win-win situation.
Exercising is a great stress reducer and well worth the time and effort. Exercising boosts your endorphins and boosts your mood. It also keeps your body and mind healthy, improves your self-esteem and boosts your confidence. If you have physical problems or concerns, get a medical evaluation first.