Academic Stress: Coping Strategies
College may be a demanding environment. It's not a good idea to let academic stress get the best of you.
Do you?
Do you find yourself obsessing over final exams and papers? Do you have exam anxiety that you can't seem to shake? Do you have such lofty goals for yourself that your mind becomes paralysed? Do you procrastinate to the point that you pack all of your studies into one night? You're not alone, to be sure.
Here are eight suggestions to help you successfully deal with academic stress.
Utilize the resources available on campus
Drop-in study groups, study skills groups, time management groups, and study mentoring are available through the Center for Academic Resources (CFAR). Office hours are available and advertised. Study groups and lab groups are available to TAs. Some lecturers make their notes available online.
There are groups at PACS that deal with anxiety, depression, and social phobias, among other things. When things get too stressful or overwhelming, PACS has urgent care/same-day appointments and counsellors available to help.
Stay present
The past has passed us by, and the future has yet to arrive. The current moment is the only one over which you have complete control. When you catch your mind wandering to the future or the past, gently bring it back to the present now.
Practice will help you learn new skills.
We are all human, and we mess up. Every blunder you make is a chance to learn more about yourself.
Practicing a new skill is the best method to learn it. You must practise if you want to enhance your singing, learn to play an instrument, become a gourmet chef, or improve your athletic prowess. The better you feel, the more you exercise good thought patterns and behavioral aspects. You will be better prepared for the test or composing the paper if you exercise strong study habits and time management.
Positive self-talk is helpful
The way you speak to yourself has an impact on how you feel about yourself. You could start believing that internal critic if you "beat yourself up" and "belittle yourself." You will feel more positive, have more energy to attain goals, and be more likely to fulfil your full potential if you learn to “cut yourself some slack” or be a “support for yourself.”
Keep track of your ideas during the day. Are they worried? Negative? Self-critical? If this is the case, you might opt to ignore them and gently let them drift away. You may train yourself to replace negative ideas with useful and inspirational ones. You may train yourself to be kind with yourself.
Take responsibility for mistakes
Accept responsibility when you make a mistake. If you are late with a paper or lab, first admit your error and then take action. You can make an apology to a professor or a lab partner, and then be better prepared the following time.
Forgive yourself
When we have been rude to others or made a mistake that affects them, we are taught to apologise to them. However, we don't always forgive ourselves for our errors. When you make a mistake, it's critical to forgive yourself. Allow yourself to be forgiven if you perform poorly on an exam. Forgive yourself if you make a bad decision. Compassion is a gift we may give not just to others, but also to ourselves.
Focus on what you have control over.
Some of us have been taught that we are responsible for the happiness of others and that we should not be concerned with our own pleasure. We've been taught that focusing on our own needs is "selfish." However, if you don't take care of yourself, you won't be able to give much to others in the long run. Recognize that you have complete power over yourself and that others have complete control over themselves. You have no influence over the acts, feelings, behaviours, or decisions of others. Others make their own decisions about their life, and it is their right to make those decisions, even if you disagree with them.
Even if your roommate wants you to stay in the dorm and study with her, you can study in the library. Even if your buddies aren't there, you can attend study hours. Even if people disagree with you, you have authority over your own decisions.
Self-care is important.
It is important that we look after ourselves. Our bodies are depleted of energy and nutrition when we forget to eat or consume pizza and chips for dinner every night. Concentrating on academics becomes tough when you stay up all night studying or sleep all day. We are alone and isolated because we stay in our dorm rooms all day and night, don't go outside, and neglect our pals.
Getting at least seven hours of sleep each night, eating three meals a day, exercising at Hamel Rec., going for a walk, laughing with others, and relaxing with a hot shower at night are all beneficial to our health.
When academic stress is severe, do three good activities for yourself every day. You'll be pleased you took the time to do so.