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Tips: Dealing With End of the Semester Stress

Almost all students deal with stress during their academic career and right now is the prime time for stress with the end of the semester quickly approaching. According to a survey done by Edison Media Research, one out of four students report experiencing daily stress and 9 percent report having thoughts of suicide.

Keeping stress down is important because stress takes a toll on both your academic performance and your body’s health. The most common side effects of stress can include headache, muscle tension, fatigue, sleep issues, anxiety, depression and lack of motivation, all of which can hold back students from finishing out the semester strong.

With stress being inevitable, here’s some ways to deal with it and stay focused through the semester:

Stay Hydrated – Drinking plenty of water has positive effects on every aspect of your health. Making sure you drink water throughout the day is key.

Be Organized – Often stress comes from procrastination or forgetting a deadline. Try planning ahead and managing your time more efficiently so no assignments will catch you off guard.

Get Moving – Being physically active helps your body produce endorphins, which triggers positive feelings in the brain. Whether it be a jog, yoga or walk around campus, all of it can help produce endorphins.

Take Naps and Get Adequate Sleep – Sleep deprivation can cause stress. It’s beneficial to take naps when feeling overwhelmed to give the mind and body a rest.

Talk It Out – Many people find that talking to a friend or family member can reduce their stress. Feeling stressed about a particular class? Talk to the professor and evaluate where you stand.

Unplug from Social Media – Without realizing, students can easily spend hours a day on social media. Taking a day or week off from social media can increase your productivity and as a result decrease stress.