Students blog

Within our time in college every student will face stress in some way. It is inevitable and there is no way to completely avoid it so the best thing we can do is manage it. Otherwise, it will snowball into a bigger issue and can lead to other mental illnesses like depression. There are so many ways to manage stress, and it will be different from person to person. Here is what works best for me and why I believe they are the best ways.

My personal favorite way to manage stress is by doing some sort of physical activity. Now you may be thinking that is not for me however there are so many types of physical activity. It can be something as simple as going for a short walk or to something more intense like lifting weights. This is a great way to clear your mind, and you can take as much time as you need. There are also a lot of studies out there that show the benefits of getting exercise and how it helps with stress. I personally feel so much better after I get some sort of exercise in and always feel the stress lifted off me which is why this is my favorite way to manage stress.

Another stress reliever is spending time with friends. When I am with my friends it is hard to be in a bad mood and worry about my problems. This helps me escape my stress for a bit and clear my mind. It can also be an outlet to talk about any issues and get some advice. Or if you are in the same boat as them it can be a good way to vent about it and take your anger out. Your friends should always be there for you and be willing to help out when needed.

Another stress management technique you can use is planning ahead. As simple as it sounds it is an effective way to control your stress. For instance, when I have an exam or a project coming up, I always try to break it up into multiple days. By doing this I am keeping my workload manageable and not putting too much on my plate. My work will be much better as well because I can put more effort into smaller sections rather than having to spend all my effort on the full thing. It is great for visual people because when you see your schedule outlined it is usually not as bad as you make it seem. Especially for me because I overestimate my work and by planning ahead it is typically not as bad as I anticipate it will be.

Finally, find your hobby. Whenever I am doing an activity I enjoy, all my issues go away. For instance, I love to golf and from the time I am on the course to the time I get off I am not worried about anything. It is also a great way to spend time outside and get some sun light. Taking an hour our out of your day to do something you love helps tremendously and can help you refocus. If you do not have a go to hobby, I highly recommend you find one.

Everyone is different so not everything is going to work for everyone, but I hope this helps in some sort of way. It is important to remember that everything is going to work out. Utilize your favorite stress management techniques and don’t get too caught up in any issue.

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! 

Recently, I have found my time management skills slipping out of my grasp, which was a new issue for me. I have always taken pride in how I manage my time, allowing work, school, and personal life to all have their separate sections of my life. However, the past few months have been overly scheduled, and it was all from my doing. It feels like everything has been piling up at once—work demands, school deadlines, and social obligations. It is like juggling too many balls at once and slowly starting to drop a few. Here are a few ways I have learned to manage my time better, allowing myself to not only be productive but also manage my stress more effectively.

I currently attend school full-time, and that is at the top of my priority list. I have always been on top of assignments, completing those days if not weeks ahead of time. It was a sense of pride for me to be ahead of the game. Recently, it has been more like hours if not minutes ahead. Procrastination has sneaked in more often, leaving me stressed at the last minute. To tackle this, I created myself a “school schedule.” Many of my classes are online, so I decided to set aside 12 hours per week on my calendar to either sit in the library, coffee shop, or my office to focus on schoolwork. By having set hours aside for my studies, I was able to plan less important events around my schoolwork, cutting the stress of completing assignments on time. Now that I know exactly when I will be tackling my homework, I feel more in control and less anxious about deadlines creeping up on me.

Work comes second to school for me, yet it seemed like it was taking up all my time. Aside from being a Pearson Campus Ambassador, I also have an in-person job in my local area. My work schedule fluctuates heavily, which leads to a lot of stress when it comes to planning around it. I would find myself scrambling to balance everything, unsure of where to fit in personal time or activities I enjoy. However, by changing my mindset around work, I was able to manage my time better. I decided to put my work schedule into my calendar and open areas around it for time to do things that helped me, like walking, running, cooking, and journaling. Please, I even put in “getting coffee with so-and-so" in my calendar if I made coffee plans with a friend. The key was realizing that my personal time matters just as much as my professional one. By having everything laid out in front of me, I could easily plan things around work and school, leading to less chaos and more balance.

Lastly, I learned the value of saying no. I am very much a people pleaser, but I need to value myself and my time, as well. I found myself constantly agreeing with events or tasks, even when I was already stretched thin. If I had a good bit of prior commitments for the week and a friend asked if I could tag along for something, I would say no but suggest something else on another day. I love hanging out with my friends as it is a great stress reliever in my life, but once it begins to cause my stress, it needs to be changed. By simply saying “no, but” I took control over my personal time, allowing myself to keep company with myself more often, which has helped me. It is a practice in self-care, and the more I do it, the easier it becomes to balance my obligations without feeling overwhelmed.

In summary, managing time is an ongoing challenge, but by creating schedules, prioritizing tasks, and setting boundaries, I have learned to manage both my workload and my stress more effectively. Whether it is carving out dedicated study time, organizing work commitments, or giving myself permission to say "no," each step has contributed to a better balance in my life. It is all about being mindful of where I spend my time and ensuring I am taking care of myself along the way. Time management is not checking off tasks—it is about creating space for what really matters.

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! 

Washington, D.C., our nation's capital, is a vibrant and bustling city full of history, ambition, and opportunity. Recently, I had the privilege of interning in Congress and studying in this dynamic place. While it was a rewarding experience, juggling school, an internship, and the stress of election season wasn’t easy. Here’s how I found peace and balance in the midst of the chaos:

Connecting with Nature

Amid the fast pace of D.C., I found peace in the city’s pockets of nature. The National Mall, with its sweeping views of historic monuments, became one of my favorite nature escapes. Runs to the Lincoln Memorial at sunrise and sunset offered me a unique kind of serenity, while trips to nearby Maryland and Virginia introduced me to breathtaking hiking trails and beautiful landscapes. Immersing myself in these natural spaces reminded me to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with the present. Whether it was by watching the Potomac River flow or strolling under trees filled with friendly squirrels, nature had a way of grounding me in the moment. It was one of my primary avenues of peace.

Finding Your Safe Space

In a city as fast paced as D.C., finding a space where you can unwind and recharge is essential. For me, that sanctuary was a cozy local coffee shop. It became my retreat - a place to journal, read, listen to music, and enjoy a warm cup of coffee and a sweet treat. Whether it’s a park, a library, or even your favorite room at home, having a safe space to decompress and reflect is key to maintaining balance in a high-stress environment.

Interpersonal Networking

Washington, D.C. is the city of networking, where every conversation has the potential to spark an opportunity. As intimidating as it may seem, I used networking as a tool to interact with others, make friends, and build meaningful relationships with individuals in similar situations as mine. Some of the most meaningful connections I developed weren’t forged in formal settings but through genuine conversations about hobbies, career journeys, and life goals. Networking doesn’t have to feel transactional. When approached authentically, it can be deeply fulfilling and transformative, even bringing a sense of joy and peace.

Embrace the Moment

Living, working, and studying in D.C. during an election cycle is a uniquely intense experience, but it’s also an incredible opportunity to witness history and be part of something bigger than yourself. I learned to embrace the city’s energy and cherish the moments of growth, whether that meant navigating my packed schedule, meeting new people, or simply taking in the view of the National Mall and the Capitol at night.

No matter how busy life gets, prioritizing your inner peace and well-being is essential. You can only thrive professionally and academically when you take the time to care for yourself. So, if you ever find yourself in D.C. or a similarly dynamic environment, remember to pause, savor the experience, and remind yourself why you’re there in the first place.

Washington, D.C. taught me so much about ambition, resilience, and self-care. It’s a city where dreams are sparked and connections are forged, but also the perfect place to find your balance and discover more about yourself. Beyond politics, I found peace, and that made all the difference!

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! 

Being stuck inside during the winter sometimes sends me looking for some unplugged activities. Thinking back to my summer as a camp counselor, the “it” way to pass the time was to make friendship bracelets! Whether you’re a seasoned bracelet maker or just getting started, I want to welcome you to the color world of friendship bracelets!

I’ve been making friendship bracelets for years and I can tell you it takes a lot of practice! The foundation of friendship bracelets is very simple: a forward knot and a backwards knot. If you know how to do these 2 knots, you can read what are called “alpha patterns” and make any design!

How To Do a Forward and Backward Knot

If you know what the number “4” looks like, you’re already 99% of the way there!

To make a forward knot: simply grab on to one string in your left hand - let’s call this String A - and the string to the right of it in your right hand - let’s call this String B. String A will form a “4” over String B. The end of String A will cross under String B to form the knot, and then you pull upwards to tighten.

To make a backward knot: simply make (you guessed it!) a backwards “4” where String B crosses over String A, the end of String B crossed under String A, and pull.

How To Read an Alpha Pattern

An Alpha pattern is essentially a visual representation of a bracelet design arranged in a grid format with arrows corresponding to either the forwards or backwards knot. There are 4 types of arrows to be aware of.

Fall and winter are some of the busiest seasons. Whether you are in school, studying for exams, planning holiday vacations, or preparing for family gatherings, these seasons are often packed with activities. Here are a few of my favorite things to do during this time of year!

During fall, I love to go to pumpkin patches. Not only is the atmosphere full of scenic fall vibes but it is also such a fun activity to do with family or friends! Spending time outside with your loved ones allows you to enjoy the crisp air, create lasting memories, and embrace the best of the season together.

Another way to celebrate is by baking and indulging in seasonal treats like hot apple cider, eggnog, and pumpkin-spiced desserts. From warm pies to freshly baked cookies, this activity is perfect if you're looking for something more relaxed and cozier! It's a great way to connect with friends or family and enjoy the comfort of home as the temperature drops. If you're into the spooky side of fall, visiting a haunted house or haunted maze can be a thrilling fun activity.

Lastly, one of my favorite indoor traditions during this time of year is watching Christmas movies while drinking hot cocoa! Some great Christmas movies to watch include classics like Home Alone, Elf, The Polar Express, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and The Holiday. Whether you're in the mood for laughter, heartwarming stories, or a bit of nostalgia, these films capture the magic of the season perfectly.

Although this season can be packed with stressful assignments and tasks, these easy, affordable and accessible activities are great ways to connect with your community, relieve stress, and enjoy the best of the holiday season.

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! 

College is no doubt a stressful environment. You've got a new schedule, new friends, and overall, a new life to get adjusted to. It's natural to feel overwhelmed and unsure from all the changes. The familiar fear I felt in my first Kindergarten class matched the anxiety I felt in my first college class. However, by implementing some fresh and fun self-care tips and tricks, the stress melted off my shoulders like sweet, scented candle wax. Here are three methods anyone can use if they need to take a break from the stress and focus on realigning their energy.

The first method to relieve college stress is to plan out all your activities in a planner! Keeping assignments, tests, and projects organized within a handy-dandy notebook or even in digital form is a great way of keeping track of things to do. These objectives can easily pile up and become overwhelming and stress inducing if left unattended. By managing your workload properly, you can mitigate your college stress!

Another way to relieve college stress is to allocate time doing an activity you enjoy. This time can be spent playing your favorite sport, binging a great show, lifting weights, or even just chilling solo. Students spend a lot of time in the company of others, and maintaining the college level of socializing can be exhausting, so spending some time doing something you love will relieve the stress and refill the energy.

Finally, mediation and breathing exercise are a great way to calm your nerves after a stress inducing experience. You can light a candle or spray room mist, and just close your eyes. When your mind is racing with a million thoughts, just sitting down and focusing on your breath is one of the best ways to center yourself and relax.

In conclusion, college can take a toll on us students, so it’s up to us to make sure that we are taking care of ourselves. And that may look different for everyone! This transformative era of our lives comes with its ups and downs, but as students we must always remember to brace ourselves and enjoy the ride.

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! 

Dear diary, let me tell you about my day. Let me have a space to be fully vulnerable. Let me chronicle who I am and how I change and grow.

Journaling is a valuable tool that I've graciously incorporated into my life. It gives you space to be yourself without judgment and to identify feelings. Journaling relieves stress, helps you notice patterns in your life, and can soothe intense emotions. I've also found encouragement in starting to journal.

When I go through life's moments of distress, it's always helped me to turn towards the paper. I don't think there's ever been a time when I didn't feel at least a little better after writing down everything that bothered or upset me. I eventually recognize the things in my life that cause constant stress and address the issue. When you write in your journal, you may notice patterns looking back at previous entries. It's a great way to hold accountability. Writing thoughts down on paper records things that persistently generate joy, or even, unwelcome ill feelings. If being around a person or place makes you feel negative consistently, you may realize that you may not want to be around such circumstances anymore. As you look back, you recognize things you like and dislike. It's an awareness that perhaps you may not have gained otherwise. Recognizing patterns can be a catalyst to redirect in ways that make you happier and healthier.

When you journal, you create a space only you have access to. Nobody can judge you. You can express whatever you need to freely. Having such a private space allows you to talk about anything you want! Journaling encourages vulnerability and enables you to address your thoughts and feelings without anxiety about what other people may think. You can be completely honest with yourself about any experience throughout your day. With a scribble, emotions no longer need to be held inside. They flow outward and become able to be felt. Journals are a place for you to be yourself without fear. The ability to be open soothes stress tremendously.

Starting to journal feels so time-consuming at first. For me, the key was to romanticize it. To make it something I look forward to doing every day. I got myself a leather journal that I love dearly. I also went to a local store and got a fountain pen that I would always want to use (fountain pens are a lot of fun). I wanted every part of the practice to be something that was calming to me. I recommend getting a notebook you like. Make it one that you look forward to using. Get a pen you enjoy with a color of ink you think looks pretty. Add parts of your personality to your practice.

In the end, journaling is all about you!

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! 

Have you ever felt like you were drowning during midterms week because all your classes have an exam or a paper on the same day? Unfortunately, this seems to be a universal college experience, so let's tackle it together. In this hyper stressful week, there are a few essential things to keep in mind: focus, fuel, and sleep. Without these three things, tireless hours spent in the library won't get you very far. So, let's dive into the best way to approach this brutal week.

The first step is to sharpen your focus. This begins with making a plan for your week. Write out what all your assignments are and when they are due. This will allow you to show up to your study sessions prepared! The next crucial step is finding a place where you feel comfortable studying. This may be the library, a common lounge, a lecture hall, a study room, etc. For some people, a concentrated study spot is a quiet part of the library and for others it may be in a louder place with background noise. The key is to be comfortable enough to focus and not get distracted. For me, this involves powering off my phone completely and putting it away in my backpack. After about 45 minutes, I allow myself to take a break, check my phone, and reset before returning to my studies.

The next vital step in killing your midterms is to be properly fueled. I normally bring a snack with me when I go to study because when I get hungry, I get distracted. Though food is an important type of fuel, there are other important types of fuel such as exercise. I feel most prepared to study and concentrate on work after going for a run, a walk, or to the gym. Any type of exercise helps me clear my mind which is important for successful studying.

Finally, a productive day of studying doesn’t go far without sleep to allow the information to process in your brain. A proper amount of sleep will help you more than one more hour of studying. Getting a full night’s rest before an exam is often the key difference between an aced exam and silly mistakes made. In taking this approach, you’ll be sure to ace your midterms this year!

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! 

College is a great way to continue your education, make new friends, and build relationships and connections that will last you a lifetime. It is truly a place filled with unlimited opportunities. With that being said, college can also be a very stressful place at times. Juggling all your classes and homework may leave you feeling like you're falling behind. And joining extracurriculars definitely enhances the college experience, but if you struggle with time management, you can quickly get overwhelmed with the amount of time and work required on top of your academic demands. Here are a few tips that helped me learn how to manage and ease the stress of college.

Stay Connected

One thing that has really helped me is staying connected with my campus. I came to college thinking that everybody just has it together. I never used to ask for help and just thought I could manage it all on my own. Although you may think that there are no helpful resources out there, a lot of colleges provide free tutoring for almost every subject. Before learning about the tutoring, I would often stress myself out thinking that I would never be able to get the help I needed and would have to figure it out all by myself. However, these tools and resources are free and accessible; all you need to do is ask!

Plot and Scheme

Another tip I have for time management is to start by planning out your days, writing down what you have to do and making a to-do list. If you just keep all of the tasks in your head without properly planning it, it will most likely lead to you forgetting about certain obligations such as not making enough time for homework or not making enough time for yourself. I would recommend starting by getting into the healthy habit of writing and visualizing what your priorities are for the day.

Prioritize Yourself

Last, but not least, you should always prioritize yourself and your well-being. Although college can be stressful, you should never overwork yourself. It’s good to be self-motivated and determined, but you should also give yourself the rest and breaks you need. You’ll be hurting yourself more if you don’t prioritize your mental health. Always take the time to breathe, meditate, clear your mind, or do something that helps you relieve your stress. It can be something as simple as drawing, going on a walk, or cooking! Personally, I found that coloring really helps me clear my mind. Overworking yourself can ultimately result in burning yourself out, which is exactly what you don’t want to do at the end of the day.

Success starts with you, so you should prioritize your well-being! Find a nice planner either physical or digital and plan. Make note of the things you need to do. Keep up to date with student emails and apps. Keep your eyes open to flyers and resources, and just ask around. There wouldn’t be resources if you are the only one struggling. Navigating college with these tips has definitely helped and improved my experience, and I hope that these tips can also help you!

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!