Learning how to manage stress in college

As the semester drags on, busy takes a cruel turn as professors assign tests you don’t have time to study for and a mountain of homework that’s stacked up to the ceiling. Not to mention the horrid group projects that slowly chip away at your sanity. All of a sudden, you’re juggling 10 things at once and you’re losing your mind.

None of these professors take into account that most students seem to have a life outside of college with jobs, internships and whatever curveball life decides to throw that week. Everything starts piling up and it gets harder and harder to balance everything you have going on. Your days are rapidly passing you by and you can’t keep everything together.

Trust me, I know the feeling. How do you find the time to do everything? You’re not Superman or Wonder Woman. This is your life and you can barely keep it under control as the stress of everything you have going on starts to become too much. Here’s some advice on how deal when everything becomes overwhelming.


Spend the $10 and buy a planner.
This could possibly be the best investment you ever make. Planners are not only cheap and efficient, but you just can’t go wrong. This way you can keep track of everything in one place, plus, they’re small and don’t weigh anything, so you’re not dragging around another useless textbook.


Take a nap, even if it’s just for 20 minutes.
Everyone gets exhausted, but the way you can keep it all together is if you can find some time within the day to close your eyes for a few minutes and rest. You’re going to thank yourself when it’s 3 a.m. and you think you’re going to die of exhaustion. You can’t live without sleep, so take a power nap if you have a half-hour break. How are you going to do your best if you’re walking around campus like a zombie?

Your alarm is your best friend.
I set alarms for everything. If you’re setting an alarm, that’s one less thing you have to remember in the long run. Make sure you write reminders and make lists. It’s a proven fact that you remember things that you write down. Grab some sticky notes and go to town. What can it hurt?

Find balance.
I have been one of the biggest culprits of this, but there’s more to life than your job or internship. Remember to focus on other things. The key to having a happy life is balancing your job, homework and friends. Yes, this is hard because there’s always something going on that seems more important. But you’ll feel happier if you find time for yourself. Remember, you’re important, too. It’s important to have fun so you don’t get burnt out.


Get your priorities straight.
On the other hand, make sure you know when to go out with your friends and when to stay in and study. Think about what’s more important — going out with your friends or studying for your test that’s worth 20 percent of your grade. Let’s face it, we’re in college. There’s always going to be another party. Everyone’s heard, “but this one’s going to the best party of the year” spiel, but people are always going to try to pressure you to come out with them. Make sure you weigh the pros and cons of your decisions. Your future always comes first. You’re here to get an education and a future, not hit up the bar every night with your friends.  

Keep a goal in mind.
Always keep a goal in your head for the end of the week that can help propel you forward. For me, it’s the freedom of the weekend. For a couple of days, I don’t need to be in 10 places at once trying madly to get everything done. I can chill and do homework. I watch football on Sunday with my roommates. For you, it could be a date, the release of a movie you’ve been dying to see or going out with your friends. Just remember, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Everything you do has a purpose and if you can manage to keep everything together, you’ll reap the benefits for the rest of your life.