Ouachita Stories

Students can get run down with so much going on. These tips can help you beat the stress:

• Create a routine. If you get yourself in the habit of studying, working out and sleeping at certain hours, it will be easier to fit in all the things you need to do in a day without feeling too stressed out.

• Put limits on work hours. You can't work all the time—fun and relaxation have to be part of your routine, as well. Limit the times when you will work to give yourself time to sleep and rest up so you won't get sick.

• Give yourself a break. If you've been working steadily for hours, give your eyes and mind a chance for a rest by taking a break. You can come back feeling more refreshed and ready to go.

• Be realistic. Sometimes there is just no way you're going to get everything done that you'd like to in one day. Be realistic about your goals and understand that you can only do so much.

• Understand you can't do everything. While you might want to go to class, work, play an intramural sport and participate in clubs and social activities, the reality is that sooner or later you're going to get run down by trying to do so much. Focus on doing the things you truly love.

• Get help. If you're feeling overwhelmed, reach out and ask for help from professors and friends. They may be able to give you more time, help you complete projects or study more quickly.

• Take advantage of campus yoga programs. Ouachita Rec Life sponsors programs that can help students get a release from their stresses through a relaxing session of yoga.

• Cut back. Sometimes students overwhelm themselves with everything they have going on. If you're feeling like you've got too much on your plate, cut back work hours or extracurricular activities to make your schedule more manageable.

• Relax with hobbies. Whether you like painting or destroying aliens in video games with your friends, making time for the things you love is an important part of keeping yourself from getting too stressed out.

• Give yourself plenty of time. It's easy to put off starting on a big project or to begin studying for a test at the last minute. If you give yourself more time to work on it, you will be much less stressed and will likely do a better job.

• Spend time with friends. There are few things that can cheer you up like being around the people you like most. Eat dinner with friends, hang out and watch TV or take a walk to get away from the stress of homework.

• Don't let yourself get run down. With so much to do, it's easy to get run down. If you feel yourself getting stretched too thin, take a step back and evaluate everything you've got going on to determine what's really important.

• Learn time management skills. Time management skills will make everything from getting assignments done to managing work a lot easier. Read a book, take advantage of resources available at Ouachita’s Academic Success Center or check out advice online to help you better manage the hours of your day.

 

By Wesley Kluck, M.D., vice president for student development and university physician