University, exams, tests, projects… Even if it’s your first exam session or you’re already used to them, the stress is clearly present during this busy time. Most of the time we forget to take care of ourselves so we can solve as many tasks as possible. However, today we will talk about why stress is damaging, how it is really affecting your life and how you can handle it more efficiently.
Sometimes you probably feel overwhelmed and ask yourself why can’t I study more? Stress factors influence us both mentally and physically: focus problems, nervousness, loss of appetite and destructive thoughts. Considering this, it is really important to understand why stress can influence your life in a negative way. In order to make people more aware of these issues we tried to answer the question how can you handle stress?
Rest
Even though it may seem obvious, resting is a key element. When your body is tired the level of cortisol, known as the hormone of stress, rises. In order to have a well-functioning organism, between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night are recommended.
Make a schedule
If you feel that your work volume is overwhelming, creating a daily schedule can be useful. Take a piece of paper and a pen and try to draw a timetable, structuring your tasks. This way you can set goals and work in an organized manner. To be completely sure it is efficient, try doing this step weeks before the actual exam session and not last minute.
Celebrate the small wins
Did you study another chapter? Did you finish all your tasks? Give yourself a little treat and a moment to relax because you tried. Every small win must be celebrated because it motivates you to work even more. It is known that having a motivator can help you focus.
Change your study place
One of the most important aspects of learning is the environment. If you have spent your time in your room, studying by yourself, you should consider some other alternatives. There are a lot of ways in which you can have fun while working: take your notebooks and go to a coffee shop. In Bucharest, we recommend M60, Mingle or Beans and Dots if you want to have a specialty coffee but also be productive. You will see that a lot of students choose this alternative so you will not be alone. Maybe you find some new friends on your way too.
Moreover, try convincing your friends to join you. Studies have shown that group study sessions are beneficial because you are more focused when you see other people working around you.
Try to relax
We only talked about ways in which you can make the studying process less stressful, but now it is time to focus more on relaxation. Yes, you heard it right. It may sound unnecessary but the moments in which you take a break are actually beneficial for your brain. It is normal to give yourself a break when you have a lot of work to do. Try going to the park or watching a movie and I am sure you will be more productive once you’ve relaxed.
Talk with your loved ones
When you are a student, the exam session is not only stressful for you, but for your friends too. Surely you are not the only student going through a rough period during exams. Try talking about the way you feel and maybe listen to different opinions. Don’t be ashamed to ask for help when you need it.
Even though the exam session may seem overwhelming, it is important to pay attention to our health and not let stress be an important element in our lives. Remember to give importance to your needs as well for your well-being.