For many of us, the first day of fall semester classes has arrived. That means moving in, buying textbooks and mentally preparing yourself for the new school year. That also means there will be stress and mental clutter coming as well. Instead of freaking out and frying your brain, try these simple tips to keep your cool and make the stress burden lighter on your shoulders:
Keep a planner. This is both a time-management tool and a stress reliever. List your schedule in the hour section and set aside time to do classwork (remember: however many credit hours a course is, that is how many hours you should spend studying and doing homework for that class per week). You can use Google Calendar (if you have a Gmail account), or if you’re looking for something to carry with you, check out these adorable planners!
Clean, clean, clean. Did I say clean? A clean room is a happy room. Some students find it stressful to work in a cluttered dorm room or apartment, and often times become mentally disorganized as a result. Clean up some so you can study Plato’s “The Republic” instead of staring at the pile of clothes on top of your desk.
Set aside time to play. Jack Nicholson once said, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Infamous, but it holds true for many students. Focusing too much on upcoming assignments or the next big exam will add more weight to the stress burden. Instead of being a worry wart, schedule time to take a walk or socialize with your friends, maybe even join a college club. You will be glad you did.
Did these tips help? Got any others? Share your mental organization and stress relieving tips in the comments section below!