I don’t know about you but I can already the heat this semester. We have exams coming up (CAs as they call it, but we know they’re not), slides piling up, rushing on a whole new level, PSM on one side and GES 102 just doing its own. Asides from these, you have to keep up with your daily life activities and everything can seem overwhelming.

It is a never-ending cycle of due assignments and stuffing tons of information into your head every day, and when you see your mates moving stuff, you begin to feel as if you have not read anything, then you do TDB and you tire yourself out and end up sleeping during the next class. Stress everywhere and there, but I want you to know that it’s completely okay to get stressed. Here are some ideas I hope can help you relieve stress.

Sleep

Sleep can never be overemphasized. At times when I go to sleep, I feel like I’m wasting time because there are so many things to cover and read and I know that I’m not the only one on this table. But this thought process is wrong simply
because sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your body. Whenever you feel like you should not be sleeping just think that, “if I die because of this book I’m reading, there will be nobody to read the book”. So, just sleep when you are supposed to and chill, life is not that hard.

Stay organized

Write everything you need to do on paper. This strategy as small as it is can save you from unnecessary stress. Organize the things you need to do on a to-do list and tick of what you have done. This way you won’t have to worry about leaving something undone. Make use of a calendar to plan major events like tests, assignment due dates and exams. Set a reminder for classes, so you don’t miss class unknowingly. 

Exercise

You may say “I don’t have enough time to work out”, but exercising even in any little way can help relieve you of stress. You may not be able to go to the gym to lift weights and run the treadmill, it can be as easy as taking a walk, going on a jog, playing football (as most guys love). It’s not so nice to just sit down on a spot from morning to night, taking lectures and reading (the virtual classes has made that possible to do). Stand up from that chair, go outside, enjoy the outside view and walk for a bit. As little as that can go a long way to refresh your brain and relieve stress.

Cutting back

You do not have to involve yourself in so many activities that the school has to offer. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, cut some of these activities out of your life. Focus on the important things of the moment and when you feel like you have attained some balance, you may resume some of your other activities.

Do something you love

As for me, I love to cook and explore varieties, so anytime I feel stressed and my head is hot from reading during the day, I cook. What I am trying to say is do something that distracts you from the stress and it definitely have to be something that interests you and not something still related to book. Examples are listening to music, playing games, watching a movie or anime, talking with friends etc.

Declutter

Having too much clutter creates visual stress. Keep your space minimal and neat. Doing this makes your space easier on your eyes when you wake up first thing in the morning and gives you a stress-free morning.

And also, laugh as much as you can because laughter is the best medicine. It helps to reduce the level of two stress hormones: cortisol and adrenaline. It also relaxes your body and increases the amount of air with each breath. So if you are feeling stress, try laughing.

Because you are a student does not mean you should be dying (as in studying, lol) and I also want you not to beat yourself up when you don’t meet up to your schedule or complete your task for the day because “procrastination is not a form of laziness at all. It is a coping mechanism for stress. Mel Robbins”

Keep up the good work and as one of Dr Owoeye golden nugget states “if diligence brought you here, diligence will keep you here”. And note also, that the struggle you are in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow.

Victoria Dada (Tory)
Preclinical Press