Students blog

Stress and burnout are something we all face, and as college students, it is only a matter of time before we experience one of these common issues. How can both stress and burnout be better managed? Here are some tips and tricks that tremendously helped me:

Switch up your routine

If you’re like me, then a routine is crucial to help you stay organized and efficient when going through your daily responsibilities. However, the same routine over an extended period can become monotonous. To help keep things fresh, re-arrange your routine every few months to trick your brain into thinking it’s doing something new.

Have a designated work area

With remote work/school becoming more prevalent in the last few years, the line between both work and play has become blurred. As a result, your home which used to be a place of relaxation has become a second office. Not being able to take a step back from academic and professional responsibilities can exacerbate stress levels and make it feel as if you have no breaks. One way to help mitigate these feelings is to have specified areas of work. Some of these places could be the school library, the office, a coffee shop, or a specific room in your home. Try to keep your work confined to these areas so you’re not bringing it along into other aspects of your life.

Implement self-care into your daily routine

‘Self-care’ is a phrase that is often used, and most people will have a specific self-care routine or evening. Although that is a nice way to treat yourself on occasion, self-care doesn’t have to be some big ritualistic thing performed infrequently. Little acts of self-care daily provide little goals for you to work towards throughout the day. For example, if you complete two hours of work then afterwards allow yourself to eat a sweet treat or 15 minutes on your phone. Small incentives such as those can help you to stay motivated throughout the day.

Block out your work

When you first receive a project or assignment, looking at the “big picture” can be daunting. Instantly you will feel both discouraged and deterred. Instead chunk out portions for you to complete over time. This will help you to feel accomplished throughout the process as you’ll be hitting milestones throughout. It should also help alleviate stress levels.

De-compress after a long day

The “daily grind” can be exhausting, which is why it is important to provide yourself with an outlet to de-compress and recharge for the next day. This can be accomplished through something as simple as journaling, getting some exercise, or spending time with friends and family…whatever activity that helps you to relax and de-stress!

Now that I have provided some of my best tips to manage stress and burnout, I hope that you will be able to implement some of them into your routine!

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started! 

I grew up in a very culturally rich home. My mom is a Chinese and Puerto Rican immigrant from Jamaica, whilst my dad is a second generation French Italian. I feel extremely blessed being able to grow up surrounded by such rich culture, and good food (dim sum being my personal favorite, but I digress). However, it has also caused me to struggle with my own cultural identity.

‘What are you?’

By the time I was 12 I had moved five times, from Florida to Seattle to Texas back to Florida then finally Louisiana. Every time we moved somewhere new, I was asked “what are you?”, and as I delved into the explanation of what my parents were, I would watch as kids’ faces began to morph into a look of confusion. “Well, my mom was born in Jamaica, but I’m not Jamaican. I’m Chinese, Puerto Rican, Italian, and French. No, I don’t speak Spanish or Chinese or any other language except English actually...”. The more and more I struggled to explain it, the more I felt like a poser or a fraud.

Although my last name is French, and my family practices Chinese traditions like celebrating Lunar Year, and my mom often cooks traditional Italian and Puerto Rican meals, I felt like I couldn’t truly identify with any ethnicity. I didn’t speak any of the languages and I don’t look like any of the races.

Eager to belong

Coming to Louisiana was especially hard as it is a state so deeply rooted in culture and tradition, from Mardi Gras to Cajun food; where LSU football is considered religion and jazz music engulfs you on every street corner. I felt so out of place in my new home as I didn’t fit in, but also, I felt I had no real culture of my own to claim and identify.

Going off to college I was eager to find a place to belong, however, I soon encountered the same problems I had moving around in my childhood. I was excited to find more diversity in college, but I didn’t speak Spanish, I didn’t “look” Chinese, and I wasn’t necessarily “white” enough. I’d get teased for certain things I said or ate.

A combination of amazing cultures

For a long time, I struggled with my cultural identity and wished that I was just one thing instead of a little bit of four things. That way I could truly identify with one culture, and it would finally be enough. I now realize how lucky I was to grow up surrounded by four amazing cultures. Although I don’t speak any other language other than English, I was fortunate to have my grandfather sing to me in Italian before bed and hear my aunties arguing fervently in Chinese over nonsense.

I am blessed to be made up of so many things and that is what makes me unique. I don’t have to identify with just one specific culture, but can embrace everything that makes me who I am. Although I still struggle with my cultural identity, I am now proud of my family and what makes us, instead of being ashamed and wishing we were something different.

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started!