Stop stressing with these tips

Catherine Moster, Staff writer

As students head into the 7th week of the school year, workloads and responsibilities are getting greater. Students know as much as CEOs what it means to be overworked and stressed out. So, in order to maintain sanity and continue to do a good job, it becomes very necessary for students to find ways to effectively deal with stress.

Following are some tips to help stressed students manage their stress.

1 Realistically manage your schedule

With a new school year comes new ways to get involved with new friends, new clubs, and new opportunities to help with the community. However, as invincible as any student thinks they are, there won’t always be a way to juggle it all.  Talk to coaches, teachers, and moderators to find out when practices or meetings are in order to see what will realistically fit into your schedule. Don’t forget to block out time for studying and much needed relaxation.

2 Talk to your teachers or parents

Talking to teachers or parents can be hard and students often avoid doing it, but sometimes it’s the best thing a struggling student can do. Avoiding anxiety is tough for many stressed out teens, but talking to a teacher will open up the possibility of getting after school help or even possibly getting an extension on a due date. Talking to parents, however, will give them insight on what you are dealing with, which can relieve pressure at home and offer them a chance to show support.

3 Don’t procrastinate

Never put things off! The moment a large project is assigned or the date of an upcoming test is given, it is best to begin working for that good grade. Begin by itemizing and prioritizing your work. Some people like to start by getting the easier assignments out of the way and others prefer the opposite. By starting your easier assignments first, you are more likely to feel like there is less work to worry about. However, by doing the harder assignments first, you more likely to feel as though the work at the end is significantly easier. For studying, begin doing so right away. As the days go on, you are more likely to remember the information and less likely to stress out over it as the final day approaches.

4 Understand that things won’t always be perfect

Putting unrealistic stress on yourself is not only physically and mentally unhealthy, but it also will lead to disappointment if your goals are not met. When under a lot of stress, the best thing you can do is work hard and do your best. However, stressing out over a grade you have no control over is not good for you; once you complete your test or project, all you can do is trust you did your best.

5 Change your outlook on your work

Changing your outlook on your work can be the key to avoiding all stress. Instead of looking at one huge project, break it up into many smaller projects. Also try thinking about the work in a more positive light by reminding yourself how much easier things will be once it is over with. Sometimes, you just have to get it over with. Listening to music, finding a new study space, working outdoors, and being with other people are all ways of turning your work into something a little more fun.