Your college years can be among your most stressful and tiring. Many students feel a substantial amount of pressure making the major life adjustment of being away from home for the first time and learning the ropes associated with being an independent adult. Managing classes at a competitive college and perhaps interning or working part-time can also cause stress levels to escalate. If you are feeling the pressure of student life, you may be wondering what you can do to improve the situation. These steps will help you to reduce your stress level on a daily basis so that you can enjoy the college experience.
Allow Yourself Plenty of Time to Rest
Your body’s ability to manage all of the daily stressors you face are directly tied to the amount of sleep that you get each night. When you start the day feeling exhausted, even a small stressor can seem like an insurmountable challenge. Get in the habit of going to bed each night at a reasonable hour so that you get at least seven or eight hours of sleep regularly. It is best to get all of this sleep at night rather than to take naps during the day to catch up on your sleep.
Choose Healthy Meals and Snacks
Your energy level and ability to cope with stress are also tied to your diet. Many college students load up on junk food and sugary snacks, but this can make it more difficult for you to respond to stressors in your life. Make an effort to avoid fast food restaurants and junk food. Choose lean proteins, fruits, vegetables and whole grains instead. While drinking coffee or other caffeinated beverages may also be necessary from time to time, avoid relying on these drinks daily as a source of energy.
Get an Adequate Amount of Exercise
Exercising regularly is a great way to relieve stress naturally, and it can also help you to manage your weight in college. Find an activity that you enjoy doing, such as yoga, jogging or swimming. Leave yourself ample time in your week to exercise at least a few times. Remember to rejuvenate your body with a recovery drink, like ASEA, or water so that your body retains a high energy level throughout the day. It is wise to also give yourself rest days between your exercise sessions so that you can minimize the risk of injuries.
Create a Reasonable Schedule
Students can also feel stressed when they have too much to do. Your primary goal may be to complete a specific number of hours each semester so that you can graduate on time. Choose courses based on their difficulty so that you have a moderate workload from semester to semester. For example, avoid taking multiple courses that you know will be very challenging in the same semester. Give yourself a reasonable amount of time during the week to attend classes as well as to study and do your homework. Keep up with your classwork because falling behind can cause you to feel unnecessary stress. Plan your work or internship hours around your classes, and ensure that you plan time for errands, exercising, rest and fun with friends. The best schedule is balanced well in each of these areas.
It is reasonable to expect to feel some stress when you attend a competitive college, but you should not feel overwhelmed on a daily basis. These tips can help you to create a healthier lifestyle so that you can more easily cope with the stresses associated with attending college. By making these changes in your life now, you may also be more prepared to handle the stress of being in the workforce within the next few years.
Hannah Whittenly is a freelance writer and mother of two from Sacramento, CA. She enjoys kayaking and reading books by the lake. You can follow her on twitter and LinkedIn.
All views and opinions of guest authors are theirs alone and are not representative of the views of Petersons.com or its parent company Nelnet.
