By The Keystone Newspaper By Katie Shank
With finals week approaching, students are getting busier and busier as they prepare for the end of the semester. Understandably, this time of the academic year can feel a bit exhausting, which can lead to burnout. Here is a list of five things to do when you’re feeling stressed and need an energy boost.
1. Divert your attention. If you find yourself spending a lot of time thinking about your school work without actually getting anything done, then it’s time to take a break. Diverting your attention to something positive can help to reduce your anxiety and rumination, which will help you to be more productive when working. One way you can do this is by building a designated time to take a break from schoolwork into your schedule. During this time do something you love like reading or hanging out with your friends. Allow yourself to not feel guilty. This is very important! You deserve to take a break.
2. Don’t fixate on the deadline. Worrying about a due date is one way to really drain away any enjoyment in what you are doing. It also slows you down. Humans aren’t designed to multitask. Worrying about making a deadline while trying to get work done will only prove ineffective. You can still get the assignment finished on time without keeping the due date in the forefront of your mind. So, give it a try.
3. Don’t sacrifice sleep. Getting enough rest can be hard with balancing work, school, and extracurricular activities, but it’s not something you should sacrifice. Not only does sleep deprivation increase feelings of anxiety (and make it harder for you to manage emotions), but it also suppresses your immune system and raises your blood cortisol levels. Make a goal for yourself to get a certain amount of sleep every night. Aim for seven to nine hours. If you can, try to keep the time you go to bed and wake up consistent. This will help you sustain your new schedule. You’ll also find yourself feeling more awake throughout the day.
4. Think optimistically. When we are positive our brains become more motivated and productive. We also become happier. One way we can achieve a positive mindset is by cultivating optimism. Building optimism is all about anticipating a bright future. Start by thinking of your best possible self. Take five minutes at the start of your study session to write out your vision of the best possible way it can go. Maybe you’re picturing yourself knowing exactly what to say on that discussion post or envisioning yourself getting an A on an online test. You don’t have to restrict this activity to just being about school. Think about what you see yourself doing in your most desirable future.
5. Don’t be afraid to reach out. If you are struggling with an assignment, ask for help. Receiving help is not a sign of weakness and it does not diminish the value of your work. One way you could ask for help is by talking it through with someone, this might help you to see things from a different angle and get yourself unstuck. Make sure to also use your professor’s resources. Know if they offer revisions and or if they’ll give you extra time to complete an assignment. While these shouldn’t be your first options, it’s good to know they are there if you need them.
Final Note: Make it a habit. Whatever activity you choose to do, make sure to keep doing it so that the effects will last. Also note, that these activities don’t just have to be done during the last few weeks of the semester. You can do them anytime. Remember to adapt these strategies to what works best for you. This might take some experimenting, but with a little practice you will find it!
The scientific information in this article is derived from the book “Good Anxiety: Harnessing the Power of the Most Misunderstood Emotion” written by Wendy Suzuki.