How to manage stress when studying
Blog
This week in the UK it’s Mental Health Awareness Week, and this year the focus is stress and how it affects our mental health. At Summer Boarding Courses, we know that while studying and learning new things can be fun and exciting, the pressure from studying can be stressful. Here are our ideas for how to manage stress when studying.
It’s normal to sometimes feel stressed out by things, but when we experience too much, it can be bad for our health and wellbeing. Many students suffer from stress during their studies, whether they are starting a new subject, preparing for exams or are experiencing homesickness when studying away from home. Here are our top tips on how to manage stress when studying.
A good study environment can be an effective way to manage stress when studying. Keeping your space clean and organised can help to remove distractions and help to improve your concentration. It can be easy to procrastinate when you are stressed about studying, so removing distractions such as your mobile phone can help you concentrate on your studies.
Your studying will be more successful if you plan out what you are doing in advance. Making yourself a study plan helps you to develop time management skills, and reduces stress about not having enough time to study. Planning your study helps to identify the best time of the day to study and can make your learning more effective. Making a study plan will help you to set yourself short-term targets, so you don’t start to feel overwhelmed by your work-load. As well as short-term targets, a study plan can also help you to set long-term strategies for your study, making your a more effective worker and giving you more time to get everything done. But don’t forget to also plan some time for a study break!
Setting yourself small goals is a good way of developing positive study habits. When we feel overwhelmed by studying, we are more likely to feel distracted and less likely to work in an effective way. Breaking down all your activities into smaller subjects allows you to prioritise what you are studying and identify which areas need more work.
Doing something active at least once a week is great way to manage stress when studying- even just five minutes of physical activity can have anti-stress effects! When stress is making it difficult to concentrate on your school work or making you feel tired, exercise can make you feel more alert, improve your brain function and give you more energy. Exercising can also help your self-esteem and put you in a better mood, which means you’re more likely to feel positive about studying! At Oxford College Summer School, you can take part in lots of different sporting activities as part of our Wellbeing programme, which helps student to relax, re-energise and learn how to manage your break times alongside study.
Managing stress while studying is all about having a good work-life balance. Even when we are working hard at our studies, it is important to relax! Taking a break or finding time for a hobby can give you time away from study and give you something else to think about. Whether it’s reading a book, doing yoga or having a chat with with friends, find a way to give yourself some space from your studies and have fun!
Research shows that mindfulness can help students manage stress when studying and improve their mental health, especially during exams. Mindfulness is all about being in the present and paying attention to our thoughts which helps to keep us from feeling overwhelmed. Mindfulness activities, such as meditation, breathing exercises and even going on a fifteen minute walk can clear the mind and help us notice signs of stress and anxiety earlier, which means we can deal with them more effectively.
Having a positive mindset can help if you are struggling to manage stress when studying. A good way to reduce stress and worry is to keep things in perspective; everyone can have a bad day! It’s important to be realistic about what to expect from yourself and not to be hard on yourself if you’re finding something difficult. It’s also helpful to think about your past successes and recognise your achievements; remember- you can do it!
If your feeling stressed or worried about your studies, then it’s important to talk to someone. If you’re finding your thoughts confusing, then talking them through with someone can make them clearer and not so scary. Sharing a problem can also help you realise that it is not as overwhelming as you thought. At Summer Boarding Courses, all of our staff are trained to help students when they’re feeling worried during summer school, so there is always someone to talk to if you need it!
Sometimes we worry so much that we forget to have fun and enjoy ourselves! Summer school isn’t just about studying; it’s also about making friends, exploring another culture and trying new things.
Want to know about our Oxford College Summer School Wellbeing Programme?
