Stress is your body’s reaction to feeling under pressure. As a university student who’s juggling classes, studying, exams, bills and other personal commitments, it’s likely you’ll experience stress at some point during your studies.
What’s important is that you’re able to manage it so you can stay on top of your mental and physical health – and your studies.
1. Plan your time
Having a plan in place can help you to balance your university and personal life as it allows you to organise your learning into small, manageable tasks – which, in turn, reduces stress.
Check out Canvas for tips on creating semester and weekly study plans from our Student Learning Services team. Don’t forget, if you’re feeling overwhelmed with your studies, we can help.
2. Look after yourself
Life as a student can be busy, but it’s important you prioritise looking after yourself.
Try to get a good night’s sleep regularly, eat well, stay hydrated and aim to exercise a couple of times a week – doing all of this will help boost your mood.
Short walks between study sessions can also help improve your focus and energy. Check out some of the great walks on campus.
3. Take time to relax
We all need to decompress from time to time. When you feel stress creeping in, head along to the Loch View wellbeing suite on campus. It has a sensory room, massage chair, crafts area and more to help you unwind.
You can also check out our website for a list of apps that can help you to relax and feel more grounded.
4. Get the support you need
Stress can be isolating, but it’s important to remember you’re not alone. Consider reaching out to friends and family and letting them know how you feel.
We also have a friendly team of counsellors and student advisors available to support you and a confidential 24/7 support helpline you can access, whenever you need it.
5. Be kind to yourself
You might feel you need to excel in everything you do – but perfectionism can increase your stress levels. Set yourself small, realistic and attainable goals and make sure you celebrate when you achieve them.
Remember, “success is a journey, not a destination” – and you’re doing great!