Students blog

During midterm and finals seasons, every student feels at least a little bit of stress due to looming projects, essays, and exams. However, stress is never helpful when it comes to performing your best on important assessments. Everyone has their own ways of dealing with stress, but we could all use some additional inspiration on how to keep calm during these stressful times. Here are the best ways to reduce stress while coping with exam season, and how to still make time for yourself even when you’re super busy.

Plan Ahead

I know, I know, pretty unhelpful for my number one tip for keeping calm during exam season to be something that requires forethought. But seriously, the best way to help yourself out for exam season is to stay on top of things from the second classes start. I like to map out all my assignments and exams in a big spreadsheet with all the due dates, so I know exactly what work I have to do each week and what weeks are going to need a little extra focus. This way, I don’t suddenly realize I have a ton of work to do the same week I have an exam, so I’m able to instead plan ahead and get assignments done ahead of when they’re due.

Plan Out Breaks

When you’re studying, it can be really easy to either forget to take breaks and get burnt out or take too many breaks, leading to unproductivity. By planning out specific times you’re going to take breaks and sticking to them, you’re able to get work done while still managing your time and stress to maximize productivity and minimize burnout. Additionally, when you schedule breaks, make sure you stick to the amount of time you allotted for yourself, as it’s all too easy to get sucked into the black hole of social media and suddenly realize your 15-minute break turned into an hour!

Make Time for Friends and Family

Even though your mind might be wholly focused on schoolwork, it’s important to maintain interpersonal connections even when you’re stressed. Friends and family can be a great shoulder to lean on when you need help or someone to talk to, so keep in contact with them regularly even when you’re overwhelmed with studying or assignments. This not only assures them that you’re doing ok during a stressful time, but also allows you to recognize that school isn’t everything, and that people will still love you regardless of your performance in a class.

Physical Activity

Exercise is proven to release endorphins, which are often referred to as “feel-good chemicals”. Endorphins are also proven to reduce stress, so getting active during midterms and finals season can be a great way to get outside and have fun while also improving your mood and stress levels. Something as simple as going for a walk with friends, or a hike, can have incredible effects on your mood and productivity, and also allows you to physically get away from your work for a little while.

Following these steps should aid you during those stressful seasons in the semester. You can succeed and you do have tools to help you. Though everyone manages stress differently, I have found that across the board these tips help the majority of people, myself including, during stressful times.

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 students all have a lot of responsibilities to tackle. Some are involved with sports at varying levels, some are part of clubs, some have a job, and some (like me), made the crazy decision to do all three of those and more. I’m a student at Syracuse University with a triple major, a member of two club sports teams, a member of a sorority, and hold two jobs. I’m busy to say the least. In addition to all my commitments, I know how important it is to take care of my mental health. Over the past couple of years, I’ve accumulated a number of helpful strategies to help manage a balance of work and fun while also taking care of myself. Here are my top 5 tips:

Make A Schedule

Some prefer digital calendars, some prefer the classic pen and paper, but either way creating or updating a calendar with your daily schedule is the best way to stay organized when you have a lot on your plate. I personally use Google calendar and color code my schedule based on if the commitment is for school, work, or an extracurricular activity. This lets me see my whole week ahead clearly, and I can access my schedule on my laptop or my phone when I’m on the go.

Plan Time for Yourself

Related to my first tip, scheduling time for self-care into your calendar can be incredibly helpful if you find yourself struggling. I personally try to go to the gym 4-5 days a week, even if it’s only for 30 minutes, because I know that moving my body is super important for my mental wellbeing. I put my gym times into my schedule at the beginning of the week, so I don’t have to worry about trying to fit it in on a day-by-day basis.

Prioritize Sleep

Believe me, I understand that making time for a full 8 hours of sleep isn’t always possible. However, trying to make an effort to get the right amount of sleep for you is one of the best ways to take care of yourself. Not only will getting enough sleep make you feel better, but it can also help you perform better in academic pursuits. To maximize sleep, try reading a book or journaling instead of looking at your phone right before bed.

Prioritize Assignments Appropriately

While I’ll never fully recommend skipping one commitment to finish something for another, it can be helpful to prioritize things like assignments based on how the grade is weighted or how lenient the professor is on late work. For example, when I’m having an unbearably busy week, I know I can let an assignment for a certain class slide because I know the professor accepts late work. For another class, however, my professor is super strict, so I always make sure to get my assignments for that class in on time. Check out this blog with more time management strategies like this.

Have Fun!

College involves a lot of academic and extracurricular commitments, but there are also so many opportunities to be a young adult and have fun. Whether you want to have a night in with your friends, go out to dinner, or go to a sporting event, take advantage of this time of your life, and take a break from the struggles of academia. Having fun with friends is one of the highlights of the college experience, so try to make time for it when possible.

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!