Tips to Live a Less Stressful Life in College
When it comes to college life, stress is something you can’t avoid. According to the reports provided by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, more than 80% of undergrads tend to face stress every day on a regular basis. As a result, they submit poorly written essays, fail exams, and get stuck in a hectic routine.
But the good news is that you can develop strategies to battle stress and boost your academic experience while in college.
Top Causes of Stress in College
With loads of everyday responsibilities and academic demands as undergrads, it’s not a surprise that students find themselves stressed more often than not. But when stress kicks in, you have to figure out the cause behind it. Below, we offer some of the main causes if stress in an academic environment:
1. Homesick. Transitioning from high school to college is an amazing yet challenging process for most undergrads. After all, it’s the first time that you stay far away from home. But the reality is that with the range of new responsibilities, you learn to be independent and make decisions on your own. It’s no doubt living in a new environment can be tough. You have to pay for all the things that your parents paid for before and learn to take care of yourself. It’s normal to feel stressed when you don’t know how to live an adult life.
2. Academic overload. One of the stressors that students encounter in college is academic performance. With every essay and research paper students are assigned to write, students feel enormous pressure that negatively affects their physical and mental health. As a result, anxiety, and depression become part of their routine.
3. Financial troubles. The cost of education, the amount of money that students have to pay for the rent, and online homework help websites dealing with “Help me do my essay online” requests make college life more challenging. All the college expenses make students feel anxious and depressed. Needless to say that the chance of dropping out of college increases in this case.
4. Conflicts with the roomie. A lot of colleges provide their students with an opportunity to live in a private room. However, in most cases, you have to share your room with someone. This, in turn, can easily lead you to have conflicts with the roommate. As a result, your emotional state is far from perfect.
So the question is – is there anything you can do to combat stress in college? Absolutely! Just ensure to check out the tips and tricks below.
Your Health Should Be Your Priority
A lot of college and university students tend to gain weight during their academic journey. According to multiple pieces of research, stress can both increase your appetite and shut it down. Regardless of your type, both undereating and overeating do no good to your mental and physical health. For that reason, it is crucial to cultivate healthy eating habits and give preference to nutritious snacks. Make sure to do regular workouts and get an adequate amount of sleep at night. If you sleep well, you will be able to prevent weight gain/loss and manage stress like a pro.
Consider Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
You might also consider engaging in EFT, commonly known as Emotional Freedom Technique or Tapping. EFT is an evidence-based method that has proven highly effective in managing stress. Mastering the technique of tapping and crafting your own EFT scripts can be a powerful way of alleviating tension and built-up stress within the body. The tapping points correspond to various meridian points, and by tapping on these, we can reach the aspects of ourselves most affected by stress. To compose a basic script, simply repeat, “Even though I feel stressed, I deeply and completely accept myself,” while tapping the side of your hand three times. Then, proceed to tap the remaining points, starting from the top of the head and moving down to just below the arm. Often, just one round can significantly reduce physical and mental signs of stress. Students worldwide have found this technique beneficial, so it might be worth trying.
Be Organized
Taking into account how crammed full your schedule is of tasks to accomplish, sites to research, and classes to take, it’s really hard to keep track of everything you have on the plate. But the reality is that a lack of organizational skills will only make your routine even tougher and more stressful. Keep in mind that unorganized undergrads usually progress more slowly that their hard-working and organized peers.
Before your essays start piling up, ensure to organize your routine. Buy a planner or a calendar. Use all possible online tools that help busy students live a life without stress and distractions.
Focus on Your Passions
It’s no doubt that your college schedule is filled with essays, lectures, tests, exams, and other integral parts of the academic process. However, it is crucial to find at least an hour or two to focus on your passions. Is there any hobby that makes your heart beat faster? Ensure to pursue this hobby in order to feed the peace of your mind and soul. After all, what can be a better way to combat stress in college than to get engaged in something that you’re particularly interested in? If you’re still not sure what your passion is, do some research to see what activities are available on campus. Who knows, perhaps, this is where you’re going to find your next hobby?
Take Care of Yourself
Stress is one of the causes of tension in the body through lowered immune systems, headaches, and sore muscles. Ensure to include regular me time sessions into your hectic schedule. Prioritizing self-care is important to reduce stress. Get some massage, take a bubble bath, or enjoy some spa. It’s up to you to decide what works best for you.
Finally, if you don’t feel like you can cope with academic stress on your own, do not hesitate to look for professional help. Most colleges have mental health resources that students are welcome to use whenever they feel that stress has become too much to handle. A skilled mental health expert can determine the key stress triggers of yours and create a special plan on how you can combat stress in a healthy way.