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?