S.T.R.E.S.S. Less

S chool

T ests

R esearch

E xtracurricular activities

S tudying

S ocial life

As a student or a parents, these and many more stressors are apart of your everyday life. Try not to get too overwhelmed. Make sure you relax and follow these simple tips.

School

As much as school is about learning and getting a good education, loosen up a little bit. School doesn’t always have to be so stressful.

• Enjoy lunch, recess, and study halls
• Chat with friends in between classes
• Form friendly relationships with your teachers, professors, and the school staff

Make school a place where you look forward to going to everyday. Yes, the classroom and learning material itself may be stressful at times , but don’t let that take over your school.

Tests 

Have you ever heard someone say they are looking forward to a test? Probably not. Tests are HUGE stressors in a student’s life- always trying to get a great score. Remember:

• The point of a test is to see how well you know the information taught in class
• Test scores are just a number
• Knowing the material is more important ( although it may not seem like it at the time ) than the test score itself

Research

Research is mostly used in high school and college. As a freshman in college, I am being introduced to new ways and form of doing research.  I can tell already that research is a big part of college life.

• When it comes to research, there are sooooo many resources available. Choose the one that is right for your research, not just because its the first option on google
• ALWAYS site your research. Plagarism is not tolerated and there are always severe consequences if you do so.
•  Sighting Research Motto: It is better to over-site than under-site, but DO IT RIGHT!

Extracurricular Activities

Emphasis on EXTRAcurricular. It is always good to get involved in school, but when doing something extra is causing a lot of stress, relax.

• Remember that extracurriculars are for fun
• They should not be causing stress, but a time to decrease stress and enjoy

Studying 

How does one expect to do well on a test? Study! But studying does not mean you have to spend hours in the library, stressing yourself out. Study in a way that is best for you-

• Alone- just you and your course material
• In study groups with other students
• With the help of your parents
• With music or the TV on (yes, as crazy as it sounds) to relax you while you study
• Study snacks

Always remember, there is not one way to study, so do what works best for you. As a college student,  I have learned that coffee and late night studying snacks are my new best friend. I would recommend treating yourself to a study buddy (cookies are always delicious) to take some stress away from your studying.

Social Life

Yes, we primarily go to school for an education, but hey, who says we can’t have fun?! However, don’t let that fun get in the way and become stressful

• Have priorities- although a friend might be having people over on a Sunday night, that is not a good excuse for not studying for your test on Monday morning
• Don’t let friend drama interfere with your school
• Make sure your social life is one thing, and school and your education is another

S.T.R.E.S.S.

Stress in life is never going to be fully avoided, but being able to manage stress and decrease it where that is possible will make the school year a much better experience, for parents and students

Click here to check out another one of my blogs about another way to relieve stress, SLEEP!