10 Tips to Help Cope With University Stress

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Filed under: Coping and Overcoming Anxiety 

In today’s competitive world, stress is the biggest problem faced by every individual. When it comes to university students, stress becomes even more common and problematic. Stress brings disorder to your emotional equilibrium in addition to deteriorating your physical health. It reduces your ability to work and think, but can be managed if you can control your thoughts and emotions.

Below are a few different tips on how to cope with university stress:

  1. Sleep – Sleep is the biggest medicine you can use to aid coping with stress. If you are missing sleep, then you are reducing your life’s length and quality. Sleeping for 6 – 8 hours is very important for every university student, and it does not only give your body rest, but also rejuvenates you. You will feel refreshed and will be able to work with more dedication and accuracy.

  1. Breaks – Maintaining breaks within your schedule is necessary to cope with any stress that comes about. A break of 5 – 10 minutes after every 1 or 2 hours can act as a refresher for you, and you can recollect your concentration and work with efficiency.

  1. Avoid caffeine – Caffeine, when taken in large amounts, can lead to anxiety and tension. Coffee, tea, soft drinks are the most common sources of caffeine for university students, so you should try to avoid them.

  1. Manage time – Stress is mainly caused when you tend to think about meeting deadlines. Most university students have little or no time management plans, and thus find themselves, at the end of the deadline, without their complete work. It is better to plan your work and manage your time before you proceed.

  1. Share Problems – Stress is caused when you tend to avoid sharing your problems with friends and mentors. I suggest to you to share your problems with others, as may be able to come up with good solutions.

  1. Attitude – It is important to maintain a positive attitude towards life. If you fail to complete a task, then don’t become dishearten, look on the positive side. You can put it like this: things could have turned out worse. So, look at the positive side and don’t let the stress get you down.

  1. Balanced Diet – Maintain a balanced diet, by eating a range of foods. Try to avoid junk food since it produces caffeine that in turn can cause stress. Include fresh fruit in your diet, and try to eat every 3 – 4 hours. Don’t let your body suffer by working with an empty stomach.

  1. Exercise regularly – Try to include exercises in your schedule. However, exercise not only gives you a sound body, but also sound mind, and by exercise I don’t mean you should go to a gym and spend an hour or two. You can go for a walk, jog, meditate and do some aerobic exercises to avoid stress.

  1. Balance your lifestyle – The most common problem faced by students is creating a balance in their lives. By balance, I mean maintaining equilibrium between your studies, sports, other activities, rest and meals. Most students tend to miss their meals and other recreational activities, and the absence of these will cause a deterioration in your health and you will gain stress. Utilize sufficient time for all of these activities and give special thought and time to recreational activities.

  1. Consult a doctor – If stress increases beyond a limit that you can withstand, then you should consult a doctor. Don’t neglect it, as ignoring something small can create bigger problems.

Following these steps will mean that you will be able to reduce the amount of stress that you, as a university student, will be able to reduce and cope with stress whilst at university.

Nick Sanders
http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/10-tips-to-help-cope-with-university-stress-677188.html

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Comments

14 Comments on 10 Tips to Help Cope With University Stress

  1. Jules on Wed, 5th May 2010 9:22 pm

    2. xanax
    References :

  2. cebicev ---------- uuuuuufffff on Wed, 5th May 2010 9:24 pm

    3. stop drinking coffee.

    try the "scivolizia", it’s an italian fairy drink, prepared by the italian elf "Tonio Cartonio"

    let me know… =)
    References :

  3. RdRedWine on Wed, 5th May 2010 9:26 pm

    4. maybe you worry because you feel that you are not prepared. Study and get prepared. Take some practice testsif you can get them. If you have severe anxiety, try talking to the school nurse.
    References :

  4. Paul S on Wed, 5th May 2010 9:28 pm

    5. Meditate daily and burn incense
    References :

  5. Scabs on Wed, 5th May 2010 9:30 pm

    6. get hiiiiii

    haha…just go running. it clears your mind and energizes you
    References :

  6. HandyMan on Wed, 5th May 2010 9:32 pm

    7. Physical exercise will help quite a lot and that will also make you sleep better too. Go for a brisk walk for 30 minutes in the late afternoon every day. Also keep hydrated in the days leading up to the exam so you don’t suffer headaches and tiredness at the worst times.
    Study hard and build up confidence in yourself for the exams and it will pay off when the time comes.
    Don’t take any kind of drugs or medication if you can help it because their side effects will give you additional problems.
    References :

  7. Big Man on Wed, 5th May 2010 9:34 pm

    8. Stoy wasting your time thinking about and study more. If you are prepared you will not stress.
    References :

  8. InSmile on Wed, 5th May 2010 9:36 pm

    9. Think that if you studied you’ll know your stuff. Also think that what you are going through many have gone through also and they do fine, so will you.
    Maybe think of other things that are worse in life and the exams wont seem that bad anymore. Study hard and you’ll be fine. Also besides studying by yourself, study with a friend one time just to lighten things up and to quiz each other. (But study alone first). Best of luck.
    References :

  9. spicyspice9689 on Wed, 5th May 2010 9:38 pm

    10. If you find out, let me know. Haha
    References :

  10. Gramma Might Know on Wed, 5th May 2010 9:40 pm

    11. At exam time, you know it or you don’t.

    A good, long walk before bedtime, some nice relaxing tea in a warm bath, perhaps lavender scent on your pillow and fall asleep to some very soft music.

    You’ve exercised your brain, now exercise your body til it’s tired.

    You might want to consider yoga for next semester…mind/body connection is good…it keeps a balance that you may be lacking right now. Seems as though you’re living in your body’s attic!
    References :

  11. Nancy on Wed, 5th May 2010 9:42 pm

    12. Here’s a sight you can check out re: test anxiety http://www.studygs.net/tstprp8.htm. Here’s another good site: http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/school/test_anxiety.html.

    Keep in mind, getting sleep, exercise, setting time aside to prepare and eating healthy all help reduce anxiety. Also, when you get the negative "worried" thoughts in your head, capture them right away, then change them. Example, ‘Oh my gosh! I’m gonna fail this for sure!" Changed to, "I will do the best I can!" It takes practice and effort to do this regularly until you master it.

    Your thoughts effect your feelings (worried/fearful), which in turn effect your behavior (anxious symptoms); all 3 aspects are connected and are constantly interacting and effecting one another.

    Deep breathing exercises where you take in long breaths and then exhale completely also help reduce anxiousness.

    Good luck! You can do it! :) Just set your mind to it and you will!
    References :

  12. Shan on Wed, 5th May 2010 9:44 pm

    13. See stress treatments, at ezy build, below in section 42. A certain level of stress is unavoidable, in modern society, so it is a good idea to develop effective coping methods. For others, or yourself: A massage (at least neck and shoulders) with jasmine, lavender, and/or juniper essential oils added to the massage oil, and to a warm bath, preferably beforehand, to help make any tension knots and muscles more pliant (they may only want, say, a juniper & sandalwood mix: check first). See if they will do long, stretching yoga exercises, or t’ai chi with you (see section 2, at ezy build, below). Practise daily, one of the relaxation techniques on pages 2, 11, 2c, or 2i; whichever works best for you, but the mindfulness breathing for 15 – 20 mns is ideal, although the progressive muscle relaxation can be learned quickly, and takes only several minutes, if pressed for time. Employ the EFT version for use in public, for which you can reasonably claim that you have a headache, as you massage/tap your temples, but it may be advisable to restrict yourself to subvocalising (saying it to yourself, in your mind, not aloud). Section 53, and pages 2, 2.q and 2.o refer. "Even though I sometimes suffer from stress, I deeply and completely accept myself".

    (The following is a variant of EMDR therapy, which has been used successfully for those people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, insomnia, and anxiety: it is easily learned, quick to use, yet can be very effective. It is easy to be dismissive of such a seemingly unusual technique, but give it a good tryout, for at least a few weeks, to see if it is effective in your case.). Prior to using either of the methods in the above paragraph, first sit comfortably, and take a deep breath. Then, without moving your head, move your eyes from the left, to the right, and back again, taking around a second to do so (say: "a thousand and one": this takes approximately a second). Repeat this procedure (without the words, although you can count, subvocally, if you like) 20 times. Then close your eyes and relax. Become aware of any tension or discomfort you feel.
    Then open your eyes, and take another deep breath, and repeat step one, closing your eyes, and relaxing afterwards, in the same manner. Then, repeat the procedure one last time. Some people may find that this is all they need do. With experience, you may find that you can practise this in public, with your eyes closed, which greatly widens the window of opportunity for its use, and avoids attracting unwanted attention. I have found that the 2 – 3 minutes spent using the EMDR markedly reduces distractions to the relaxation process, and is repaid many times over. With experience, you may find that you can practise this in public, with your eyes closed, which greatly widens the window of opportunity for its use, and avoids attracting unwanted attention.

    You can also multitask, using the gazing technique, as you walk/jog or exercise, by focusing on a distant object, noting any thoughts which flash across your mind, without pursuing any particular train of thought, just gently redirect your focus to the gazing. Yoga, or Tai Chi may suit others, better, or use them all. For some people, it helps to visualise of a quiet, relaxing scene, like a tropical beach, (reclining comfortably; feeling the sun warming you, as a gentle breeze caresses your skin lightly, inhaling the tangy, sea scented, salt laden spray from the sparkling, translucent, aqua waves, crashing on the white, coral beach sand, and feeling the hot sand slip through your fingers in one hand, sipping your favorite drink with the other, and all the while, the seagulls swoop and cavort playfully overhead in a cloudless, azure sky: you feel just like one of them; free to soar and cartwheel, or just glide, in the moist, heavy air, and that this moment will last forever … ). Some people may find it helps when they listen to: http://www.amazon.com/Sounds-Of-The-Ocean/dp/B000XSX6E6/ref=pd_sim_tdbs_dmusic_title_2/002-9404631-0817638) Other suggestions: http://www.secretsofmeditation.com/demo.htm
    and the audio, as well as the printed version, at: http://www.lessons4living.com/relaxation.htm and http://www.amazon.com/Ambient-Rain-Sound-Sleep-Relaxation/dp/B000QPXNA8 or the mountain river sounds. Take 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements, daily, replacing 2 of them with cod liver oil supplements, or a teaspoonful of the oil (I spread mine on toast, and mask its strong taste with fishpaste, and pepper), in the winter months only. Those people who receive adequate exposure to sunlight, daily, won’t need the vitamin D from cod liver oil, but many people, particularly those in latitudes far from the equator, find this difficult, to achieve. Eat healthily, in accordance with your "nutritional type" as determined at http://www.mercola.com/ SEARCHBAR.

    Try having a cup of "Tension Tamer", herbal tea (from supermarket tea aisles) from Celestial Seasonings, or make some at home, and cool, then bottle, and drink as needed (I find it so strong tasting, that I need to drink it quickly, followed by something like fruit juice, to take away the taste, but others may find it more tolerable). C(h)amomile tea is a more palatable option. As with all herbal/green teas, use lemon/lime, and/or a little sweetener (NOT ARTIFICIAL!!!) but no cream, or milk.

    Xylitol, or Stevia is preferable, (health food stores) or fruit sugar (fructose, such as "Fruisana", from supermarket sugar aisles) or even a little honey, because these will reduce "sugar spikes", which later deplete you of energy. Minimise/eliminate consumption of highly processed foods, particularly grain products, such as white bread, donuts, cake, cookies/biscuits, or anything with sugar. Opt for more wholefoods, non-starchy vegetables, and fruit. ~~~ Put your mind in a position where it wants to shut itself off, and sleep. See insomnia treatments, in section 3, at ezy build, below. Use one of the relaxation methods, in bed, after lights out, on pages 2, 11, 2.c, or 2.i, but they can take some time to learn, (progressive muscular relaxation excepted) so learn and become proficient in their use during the day; an alternative is to use the EFT, in section 53, and pages 2.q, and 2.o, saying to yourself: "Even though I currently have a sleep disorder, I deeply and completely accept myself." (or choose your own wording) while you use the acupressure tapping.

    Find out which works best for you, in the daylight hours, so you will be prepared, come bedtime. For many people, a good idea is to develop a set "wind down" routine for the last hour before bedtime, so your subconscious mind learns that it is time to put thinking aside, and prepare for mindfulness, (awareness, without cogitation/purposeful thought) or the EFT, in preparation for sleep, but the idea with mindfulness is to not even think about sleeping: just drift off, naturally, during exercising those techniques. I suggest that you try using the EMDR variant, below, prior to the mindfulness, or the progressive muscular relaxation, but after the EFT, if that method is chosen. Experiment, to find which combination works best.
    Use the EMDR, followed by your chosen relaxation method, in bed after lights out (even if you don’t use it for stress, or anxiety relief, it is known to be effective, by itself, for insomnia). ~~~ See anxiety treatments, at ezy build (below) in section 6. Set yourself a specific time period for worrying about anything, (say; around three quarters of an hour, possibly when you get home, or after your evening meal, but not too close to bedtime) after which, resolve firmly to refuse to even entertain the thought of worrying again on that day: realise and accept that to do otherwise would be counterproductive to your mental health, and enjoyment of life. You will have had your "worry time" for the day, and can just write down any more thoughts that come to mind, and say to yourself: "Well, I’ll just have to worry about that tomorrow, won’t I?". It is important to deal with a negative internal monologue (self talk), or mental process, such as disturbing thoughts, or images, by the process of (a): recognising it, and (b): challenging it immediately. When you notice something negative, such as: "I’m never going to get over this!" or: "Why am I always so pathetic/useless/such a loser?" or even: "I can’t do this/will never get over this!", or a disturbing image, recognise that this is part of the mindset which will hold you back from progressing in your recovery. Having identified and labelled it, I first visualise a large "STOP!" sign, then I say to myself as forcefully as you can, even aloud in a big voice, if alone: "I know this tactic: GO AWAY FOR A WHILE !!!" You may want to use either: "ruse", "ploy", "game", or "trick", instead of "tactic". In the case of an image, visualise a large "STOP" sign, or your preferred version. Some people go so far as to keep a wide rubber band in their pocket, then put it around their wrist, when they catch themselves backsliding, stretch and release it, as a method of reprogramming their mind sooner, but I don’t regard it as being strictly necessary. Remember to remove it, afterwards, if you use this method.

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  13. ~*♥*~Ashley Star~*♥*~ on Wed, 5th May 2010 9:46 pm

    14. exercise
    References :

  14. marikuska on Thu, 6th May 2010 5:20 am

    15. how do you cope with stress before final exams?help!!!!?
    so in less than two weeks i am taking final exams after which i have some more for the universities and such.i can’t shake the feeling that i am not gonna make it.i can’t sleep or do anzthing else than worry about it.do zou have any tips how to organize my time so it’t effective at its most?i want to stop thinking about it just for one minute.i have bad dreams when i finally fall asleep so when i wake up i feel as i was awake all night.any help please???

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