Monthly Archives: April 2020

8 WAYS STUDENTS CAN EFFECTIVELY DE-STRESS DURING EXAM PERIODS

It goes without saying that being a student can be an incredibly stressful experience. This is especially true during exam periods. And while having the access and opportunity to indulge in education is also incredibly rewarding, the stress is what can send even the most capable students into a crumbling mess. Thankfully, there are many effective ways that students can de-stress during these challenging times throughout the semester. So, of all these different ways to de-stress, which are the most effective and the most popular?

1. Allowing yourself personal time

Believe it or not, one of the best things you can do for your academic performance is to take a step back from the books every once in a while. Of course, maintaining your studies is the aim of the game in education, but it is just as important to take the time to take care of yourself. Your mental health is more important than getting top marks – and it always will be. This is a lesson for your years as a student, but it is a lesson that will continue to be important throughout the rest of your life. Having adequate personal time allows you to relax and replenish.

2. CBD use for anxiety and stress during the semester

There are over 400 chemicals in cannabis, and CBD is just one of the many. Controversial to begin with, multiple studies now prove that CBD can relieve the symptoms of not only stress, but anxiety, depression, and physical pain (among other beneficial uses). From finding the best CBD oil for pain, to using CBD oil as a de-stressor during exam periods, students are finding this to be a viable solution across the board, resulting in CBD becoming more and more popular all the time, for students (and individuals in general, for that matter) across the entire globe.

3. Create a study schedule at the beginning of the semester

Taking the time to sit down and create a study schedule before the semester starts when you have your finalised timetable will allow you to structure your semester ahead of time. While it might seem a little too organised and too much effort for some to begin with, this can be a key strategy to allow you to de-stress later; having a structure (even if you do not stick to it entirely) ahead of time means you are more motivated and on target. Additionally, have the entire semester laid out on a whiteboard in your study area, and carry a diary with it copied down, or have it all structured as a layer in your Google Calendar, to stay on top of it.

4. Create study playlists

Sometimes, having complete silent while studying can actually be deafening and lead to distractions. Having a study playlist, a focus playlist, a calm playlist, and a motivation playlist (to name a few possible examples) can help you to get into the zone, and create a relaxing atmosphere for you to buckle down and get it done. When you are listening to calming music, it makes the process a lot more harmonious and far less stressful to endure – not to mention more enjoyable along the way as well.

5. Establish a growth mindset

A growth mindset effectively ensures that you are always willing and able to elevate and improve. It is easy to get into a stressful pattern when you are always feeling like you are stagnant and trying to push through the chaos. When you enable and encompass a growth mindset, you essentially put yourself in the position of always working to be better and get better. This helps you to maintain a focused mindset, rather than a frantic one. Structure is key, and mindset is the core of any structure.

6. Form trusted study groups to share the load

Especially when you are studying away from home, being removed from your usual support group can be (sometimes inevitably) stressful. Forming a support group on campus that can double as a trusted and reliable study group can and often goes help to bridge that gap and put you in a more relaxed mindset. Additionally, having a reliable group of friends to study with takes the edge off; you can exchange ideas and views on the material, expanding your perspective and alleviating the stress of studying in one go.

7. Get enough sleep

Believe it or not, your quality of sleep can have a distinct impact on your stress levels. This is especially true during periods of high intensity (such as exam periods, for one). Getting enough sleep can and often does allow you to de-stress because when your body and mind is well rested, you are better able to focus and shift your entire perspective and mentality. Improving the quality of your sleep will improve your quality of life, and in turn create a more distinct and impressionable level of calm that effectively alleviates stress.

8. Spend time with your loved ones

Going home to spend time with your family, having quality time with your pets, or even just heading out with your partner or best friends on a night out (to name a few examples) are great ways to give your body and mind the rest it needs to replenish. When you get to spend time with those you love most, you give yourself the chance to de-stress and get back to feeling 150% yourself. To function at your peak, you need to feel your healthiest, and what better medicine is there than quality time with those who mean the most to you?

What College Students Should Consider When Looking At Banks

Going off to college comes with many responsibilities — including the responsibility of monitoring finances more closely. Those that are moving onto college right after high school may not have any previous experience monitoring their own bank accounts.

However, now is the time to learn! If you’re going off to college and are trying to figure out what you need to do, make sure to add getting a bank account to your list.

Getting a bank account is your first step to independently organizing and managing your money. This is essential as you start taking on responsibilities such as having an on-campus job, paying for books, and taking out student loans.

If you’re just getting started with opening a bank account, keep the following tips in mind.

Where the bank is located

The first thing you’re going to want to consider is whether or not the bank has a branch that is located near your campus.

You may occasionally need to go to the bank in-person, so choosing a bank that has locations near your hometown and near your college is recommended.

It is possible your college already has an affiliation with a particular bank and may have ATMS from that bank on campus. And while it is good to consider that particular bank as an option, don’t make your decision based solely on that affiliation. You want to make sure that the bank can meet your needs.

Focus on features

When it comes time to narrow down your choices of a bank, look at what features they offer to students. Most banks will offer bank accounts specifically for students that come with some free features.

For example, some banks charge monthly maintenance fees or require a minimum deposit amount each month. These features are usually waived for student accounts, because students have limited amounts of money and because they might not be in a position to make monthly deposits.

Whenever you are considering a bank, ask them if they have student-specific bank accounts and what the benefits come with one of those accounts. Compare several different banks before making a decision.

Know about interest rates

Over time, bank accounts and saving accounts will accumulate interest. Interest rates vary, but higher interest rates result in a higher yield.

Ideally, you’ll have a savings account in addition to your main bank account. This is because you’ll generally earn more interest on savings accounts. Because of this, savings accounts have higher annual percentage yields (APY) than banking accounts do. You can use an APY calculator to get a sense of how much interest your savings account will accumulate.

Understanding interest rates can be confusing at first. If you’re struggling to understand interest, you should sit down with a bank representative to learn what options are available to you.

Check out the app

Mobile banking has become popular. Mobile apps grant you constant access to your bank and saving accounts, allowing you to see how much you have available, as well as withdrawals you have made. Gone are the days of having to balance checkbooks.

Each bank uses a slightly different mobile app. You may find some apps easier to use than others. To get a sense of what apps are available to you, start looking at online reviews from other users.

Some banks will have apps that are specific to students. These apps tend to be designed in a way that allows you to learn how to use a mobile banking app.

Accounts after college

If you choose a bank that uses student accounts, ask them how easy it is to transfer your account into a regular account after college. Most banks will expect you to get rid of your student account after graduation.

However, even if they make you get rid of it, most banks will help you open up a new non-student account. Most of the time, this transfer doesn’t cost you a thing and can be done within a matter of minutes.

Whenever you transfer, ask your bank about any differences with your new account. Generally, there will be an expectation for you to have a minimum balance and to make deposits several times a month.

Final thoughts

If you’re heading off to college and don’t yet have a bank account, now is the time to start doing your research. Even if you already have an account, you should double-check that there is a branch of your bank located near your college. Making good financial decisions now can help you become financially secure in the future.