Study Management Series

Part 5: Stress, the Other 'S' Word

Stress means something different to everyone, but as a student, stress can sometimes take over your life, especially when your study load is heavy, you are struggling with money or you are trying to adjust to life as a new student.

Try some of our stress management strategies to help curb your stress levels and not only make you a better student, but help give you the right mindset to excel personally, socially and professionally for the rest of your life.

Study Smarter
Studying for longer and harder does not necessarily make for better results but it is a sure fire way to increase your stress levels. Try some of the techniques in the other Study Management Series articles to help you study smarter.

Avoid Stressors
If you find that a particular person or group of people put unnecessary stress on you, don’t mix with them. Try to find people who make you feel at ease and give you the chance to relax and be yourself.

Accept Things Outside Your Control
You can’t push your exam dates further away, nor can you change the fact that you are running late because there was an accident on the highway. Try to understand when a potential stressor is outside your control and consciously accept and give in to the fact that it will not change.

Stay Within Your Limits
First identify your workload capacity and then try to monitor where you are in relation to these limits. As you begin to reach your limits, try to refuse additions to your workload. This can be difficult at times but remember that the need to keep your stress at a manageable level is far more important than the need to please other people.

Avoid Unhealthy Ways of Dealing With Stress
Some stress relief strategies may reduce stress temporarily but they will often do more damage in the long run.

Things like excessive drinking, withdrawal from friends and family, taking drugs to sleep or constant violent outbursts will not only hurt you but they will hurt the people around you who care. Try to substitute these unhealthy strategies for healthier alternatives.

Adopt Healthy Stress Relief Strategies
Try some of these as alternatives for potentially harmful stress relief actions:

• Exercise.
• Find a hobby, eg, crafts, instruments, pets etc.
• Watch a funny movie or tv show.
• Read a good book or magazine.
• Call a friend who you can have a laugh with.
• Get a massage or health treatment.
• Put on your favourite music and sing along.

Eat and Sleep Well
Eating nutritious food and getting the right amount of restful sleep will help your body and mind deal with stress and be able to respond optimally. Try to avoid excess sugar, caffeine, alcohol and fats and try to get into a regular sleep routine.

Stay Active
There is no better way to reduce stress than to sweat it out! Instead of sitting around at home, go for an intense workout. If solo exercise such going the gym is not for you, join a sports club. This will not only get you mixing with a new social group, but your commitment to your team will force you to stay active.

Take a Break
Try to manage your study efficiently so that you can plan for a “mental health day” every so often. When you take this coveted day off, indulge yourself and do something that is completely unrelated to your work or study life that you don't usually get to do.

Seek Professional Help
If you get to the point where the stress is getting too much for you, find someone who can help you. As a student you will usually have access to student counselling services, student support personnel or other such facilities. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of these experts before your stress level gets too much to handle.