Balancing family, work, and a new course load can be overwhelming for even the most organized students. It’s stressful navigating an exciting new career path while trying to stay on top of your other responsibilities. However, everyone can ease the pressure and find enjoyment in their studies with just a few tried-and-true stress-management tips.
If you are planning to enroll in a career college, or have already started your program, read on for some essential stress-reducing tips.
Adjusting to a New College Schedule
When the beginning of term comes around, students suddenly have to squeeze class time and study sessions into their already marked-up schedules. And of course, doing so involves adjusting their minds and habits to meet the needs of their new school routine.
One way to adjust is to map out your schedule in order to better visualize the responsibilities that lie ahead. Reviewing your notes every week can also help you avoid end-of-term study cramming. You can even stay on top of your workload with practical study habits, such as handwriting your notes and forming study groups.
Self-Care Tips For College Students
It’s important to remember that you are your own care expert. Adding schoolwork to your existing responsibilities can makes you feel overwhelmed. New students need to develop their own methods of keeping themselves in good physical and emotional health. Here are some tips for keeping both your body and mind healthy:
Get enough sleep. Sleep allows your brain to store the day’s information and make space for what you’ll learn tomorrow. Long-term learning can’t happen without it a good night’s sleep.
Eat as healthy as you can. Nutritious foods will boost your energy and keep your mood on track.
Prioritize “you-time.” Students enrolled in a second career college are often parents or working adults. It’s always a good idea to pamper yourself with a bath, a walk, or a good (course-unrelated) book every once in a while.
Connecting to the College Community
No man is an island; although there’s a spectrum of personal interaction ideals, the vast majority of us need human connection to feel our best. Going beyond class attendance to join the campus community—through study groups, clubs, or just chats with professors—can provide lasting personal and professional benefits.
Psychologists say you don’t need to become a social butterfly. Just being open to on-campus interactions is a key part of a stress-reduced student life. A network of people who share your stresses and goals is one of the most valuable resources out there.
Reaching Out for Support
From conversations with peers to talking to your doctor, there is no wrong way to ask for support if you need it. At Stenberg College, one option is accessing a Life Skills coach who visits classes early in the term and can follow up with individual students on an appointment basis. The coach is a trusted professional who can help you build your interpersonal skills, manage your time, and examine other areas of stress that you might feel need further attention.
School can be so much more than certification when your mind is healthy, rested, and open to each new learning experience.
Are you interested in pursuing college training? Visit Stenberg for more information or to speak with an advisor.
