Stressed Out?
Take it One Step at a Time
Marc-André Lavigne
Assistant Production Manager
Starting to struggle with a number of assignments and tests you have to study for? With the weight of the work that needs to be done, stress is bound to show itself and could complicate things for many students. In order to help with this issue, here are a few steps for you to follow that will get you through the end of the semester with as little stress as possible.
Step 1: Get to know yourself. Know the environment in which you would be comfortable and at your most productive level. Knowing at what time of day you are most productive is also useful. This can be tricky as your most productive state may occur in places and during hours that might seem unusual (e.g. cafeteria during rush hours). In other words, experiment, get to know what works for you, and do that.
Step 2: Keep track of what needs to be done and what is coming up. Some people have the hardest time opening their agenda to write what needs to be done, and to look to see when an assignment is due. There is no easy way out, but there are some options if keeping an agenda on you all the time is a struggle. Get an agenda app that allows you to customize and get notifications, or write out week by week all the big things you have due and post it on your bedroom wall so that you see it everyday and won’t forget. With that said, write and look regularly in your agenda or in your calendar.
Step 3: Have a plan B. This one is very important, especially for those who procrastinate. If something unexpected comes up, you will easily be able to manage the situation with your plan B. The majority of us have experienced a moment where we were about to print an assignment one morning at home for an 8AM class, and suddenly, your printer does not have any ink. In a situation like that, my plan B is to always have ink cartridges for when the ones in the printer end up being empty. Another alternative would be to hop on an early bus and jet up to the 3rd floor of Penfield where there are printers outside the classrooms for students as the library only opens at 8 o’clock. This can help you avoid a lot of problems. You only have to prepare yourself for the potential issues you are going to encounter.
Step 4: Allow yourself some time to breathe and sleep. When I say this, it does not necessarily mean that you can go to Annie’s on Thursday night when you have an exam Friday. You should take some breaks from the work that needs to be done in a manner where you will remain capable of working when you get back to studying. As for sleeping, you have your limits, and the same applies to what a few cups of coffee can do for you. If you get too tired, get some sleep.
Step 5: Ask for help when in need. Stressing over that paper or homework that you just cannot seem to understand? Don’t wait until the last minute to ask for help. Ask your teachers, some fellow classmates, or a tutor for some help, and some help you will get.
Remember that first step? It is the most important as it can help you tremendously. Learning about yourself can allow you to know how you could properly apply these steps. It can also allow you to know in what situations you are most likely to get stressed, and with that, you will be able to manage or avoid as much stress as possible. Good luck!