Stress is nothing new in the US. According to an American Psychiatric Association (APA) survey, it’s been found that American adults are expecting higher levels of stress as they enter 2023.
While adults are prone to stress over matters of their own, it seems the younger generations are also likely to participate in this, thanks to high levels of academic stress.
Academic stressing you out is a bad thing, but it’s not uncontrollable. Here are a few things you can do to deal with academic stress:
Take note of the mistakes you’re making
Whether you’re a freshman or a senior, there are always opportunities for you to improve your academic performance. One of the first steps to reducing stress and improving your grades is to take note of the mistakes that you’re making in class.
The first step is, to be honest with yourself about where your weaknesses lie. If you are not taking notes in class, take some time out of your day to do so. If you struggle with reading comprehension, find a way to improve this skill by taking an online course or finding a tutor.
By identifying the areas where you need improvement, you can begin working towards fixing those problems and improving upon them so that they will no longer be an issue when it comes time for exams or papers.
Seek help from tutors
If you feel like your stress is getting in the way of your academics or social life, or if it’s hurting how you feel about yourself, it’s time to seek help from tutors.
Tutors are trained to help students learn new skills and strategies for dealing with stress. They can help you identify what’s causing the stress in the first place so that you can avoid those circumstances in the future.
If not tutors from your institution, you can get help from online tutors, like the ones from SweetStudy (formerly known as HomeworkMarket). Work on your lessons according to SweetStudy’s experts and their suggestions.
In doing so, you won’t have any trouble navigating your assignments and homework, as well as difficult lessons across different subjects. As long as you make the most of such online tutoring and homework assistance platforms, you’ll always get to reap their benefits.
Set up a proper study routine and develop your time management skills
When you’re trying to organize your life, it’s important to do things in the right order. One of the most effective ways to do this is by setting up a study routine. When you have a daily schedule, you can make sure that all of your tasks are completed and that they don’t overlap with each other. This will help you stay on track and ensure that everything gets done on time.
Make sure that your schedule includes enough time for sleep, exercise, and eating meals without rushing through them. It’s also important to make sure that you have time for relaxation so that you don’t burn out.
Take occasional study breaks
Taking occasional study breaks is one of the best ways to deal with academic stress. Taking a break from studying will help you avoid burnout, which can happen when you study for too long without taking a break. It will also allow your brain to rest and recharge so that it can focus on the task at hand when it returns to work.
You can take short study breaks by going for a walk around campus or listening to music while studying. Do not take a break if you have been working for less than 30 minutes. This could lead to procrastination and make it harder for you to get back into studying after the break.
Eat and get sufficient sleep
When you’re feeling stressed out, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of schoolwork and forget about the little things that can really help.
WebMD keeps stressing the fact that adults need around seven to nine hours of sleep while teens need eight to ten hours of sleep each day. Getting enough sleep and eating regularly are two of the most important things you can do to keep yourself healthy and focused. If you’re not getting enough sleep, or if your eating habits are irregular, it will be harder for you to concentrate on what you need to do.
If you’re experiencing intense academic stress, it may be tempting to skip meals or sleep less than normal, but this can actually make you feel more stressed out. If you’re having trouble eating healthy food or sleeping enough, talk with your doctor about how best to address these issues.
VegNews recently did a story on how studies have found that consuming walnuts can help improve mental health and deal with stress among university students. Therefore, during your breaks or your free time, you should consider eating walnuts. You can even integrate them into your daily diet.
Academic stress is never a good thing, and if you let it worsen, it can negatively affect other aspects of your life. Therefore, keep these tips in mind and do your best to deal with this stress. If nothing else works, don’t hesitate to consult a therapist or counsellor and seek their advice.
Alicia Saxon did her degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. She is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
