How to Reduce the Stress of University Life
Helpful Hints for Studying
Stress Related Links
How to Reduce the Stress of University Life
!!
To clear your mind, close your eyes, and take 3-5 deep cleansing breaths.
Be aware of how you use your time. Avoid procrastination and/or taking on more than you can handle. Learn to say "no" if you are too busy.
Take a warm bath.
To loosen up tight muscles, do gentle muscle stretches for 15 minutes.
Be flexible; if the first approach doesn't work, try a new one.
Go for a walk, go shopping, get a haircut.
Inject some creativity into your activities: paint a picture, play an instrument.
Try to maintain regular sleep patterns.
Is work piling up? Try breaking down your assignments into smaller, more manageable units. Set attainable goals for yourself on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
Laughter is the best medicine. Watch a funny sitcom or movie.
Think positive! Negative thoughts can trigger a physical fear reaction.
Anticipate stressful situations and prepare for them.
Stressful situations deplete your body of essential vitamins and minerals; eat healthy, balanced meals to stay in top form.
Turn up your favorite song- loud! Dance!
Limit your caffeine intake. Caffeine elevates negative stress symptoms.
Call an old friend - just to chat.
Get together with a friend and give each other shoulder rubs.
Not sleeping or eating well? Drinking too much? Feeling down? Learn to read your warning signals of too much stress.
Stay physically active
Set goals for yourself. Visualize future success.
Put your thoughts down on paper can help alleviate stress.
Study in an environment free of distractions. Form study groups only if they work well for you.
Be aware of your peak studying times. Relax at times when you normally wouldn't concentrate.
Confirm all your exam times and locations before the exam period begins.
Take plenty of short study breaks (5-10 mins.). Your optimal learning-span is between 30-40 minutes.
Find out how much the exam is worth and what type of exam it is, i.e. essay, short answer, or multiple choice.
To prepare for essay exams, look at past exams, then think about topics covered in the course. Try to come up with a thesis and 3-4 supporting points for as many topics as possible.
Procrastination is waste of present time that you will wish you had later!
Try to get a good night's sleep before each exam, but don't worry if you don't; loss of one night's sleep won't hinder your performance, unless you think it will.
Material that requires a great deal of memorization should be studied in small chunks over a period of about a week.
For multiple choice exams, underline pivotal words like (in)correct and true/false. Reword questions and statements into simpler words Don't assume that the question is purposely designed to deceive you; i.e., that it is more complicated than it appears to be.
Go to class. Your professor might give out some helpful exam "clues".
After you have studied for 30-40 minutes, stop and review for 10 minutes.
The Complete Guild to Stress Management
Test Anxiety (University of Buffalo)
Helpful Hints for Studying !!
Stress Related Links