Making the transition from school or college to university can be a stressful one – the workload is bigger, and you might be living away from home for the very first time having to manage your own money, food shopping, cooking, cleaning and more. We know how easy it can be to get bogged down by stress, leading you to feel miserable and fall behind on work. As we near the end of Stress Awareness Month, here are some of our favourite ways to de-stress as a student!
Talk it out
If something is making you feel stressed, it’s worth talking to somebody about it. Flatmates constantly leaving the kitchen a mess? It’s easier said than done, but try and sit down with everyone and talk it through – come up with a cleaning rota, for example, and let them know it’s getting you down. If you’re struggling with an assignment, speak to your lecturer or tutor and see how they can help you with it. That’s what they’re for, and they’d rather you asked than struggled in silence.
Go for a walk
It might be age-old advice, but going for a walk really can help you de-stress as a student. Exploring your new city or simply taking a walk across campus can help clear your head and get your blood pumping, making you feel a bit better about whatever it is that’s worrying you. Fresh air is good for the soul, and if you stick your headphones in and blast your favourite music as you walk then you’re almost guaranteed to feel better!
Try some self-care
As tempting as it is to go out pretty much every night while you’re at university, it isn’t healthy. If you’re feeling stressed, treat yourself to a cosy night in: watch your favourite film, pamper yourself a bit, eat the snacks you love and have an early night. Sometimes peace and quiet is just what you need to rejuvenate yourself and overcome some stress. A good night’s sleep will do wonders, too, helping to relax your brain and produce extra happy hormones!
Journalling
When things are getting on top of you, writing down your feelings can really help; journalling might seem a bit wishy-washy, but it’s a great way of being able to express yourself privately. Sometimes just writing down the issue will help you come up with a solution! We have a list of 18 journalling prompts available to get you started, and it’s definitely something you should consider trying if you’re looking to de-stress as a student.
Have a laugh
Laughter is proven to reduce stress, so make the time to really laugh during your day. Whether it’s watching stand up comedy on YouTube or at a local comedy club night, or simply having a giggle with your flatmates by doing something fun together, laughter will really brighten your mood and clear your mind a little bit.
We know feeling stressed can ruin your day, so hopefully these tips have given you some ideas for how to de-stress as a student. Even though Stress Awareness Month is coming to an end, it’s vital we still feel able to reach out for support – be sure to get in touch with your student support services when needed.
