To help reduce stress and ensure that you're as organised as you can be during study, there are some easy ways to plan ahead and look after yourself.
Have a plan
Prepare a study plan and goals for each day / week. Make sure it's balanced with other important things in your life – that way it will be easier to stick to.
Talk to your employers early to let them know you need to limit your shifts/hours while studying.
Create a study space that is comfortable, quiet, well lit, organised, and has no distractions nearby such as a TV, phone, people talking, etc.
Don't get hungry before or while studying. Grab nutritional snacks that keep you going, such as fruit/nuts/dairy, etc. Fill up on good food (like veggies, fruit, whole grains) and drink plenty of water to give your body and brain all the power it needs to function well.
Stay socially connected
Connecting with people and spending time with friends, family and pets can improve your general wellbeing and help you feel supported. Plan a catch-up with a friend or family member you haven’t seen in a while, or get involved in a local group activity.
Remember to get some exercise every day as this helps you to keep focused and energetic.
Self-care is especially important when you have a big demand in your life - that way you have the energy to commit to what you need to accomplish.
Devoting time to doing fun things can help you relax, recharge and connect with your friends or a community group.
Distance learning and stress
Undertaking online or flexible delivery courses can have many advantages for students. However, distance students and online students encounter different challenges to on-campus students including:
Pressures of juggling work, family life and study.
Lack of face-to-face feedback from lecturers and tutors.
Social isolation from other students, which can make harder to support one another.
Reduced access to student support services and study materials.
It may help if you:
Keep in contact with lecturers and teachers via phone, email and computer conference.
Talk to your lecturers about your concerns and issues related to off-campus study.
Keep in touch with other distance students via phone, email, or internet-based communications like video chat.
What to avoid
Some people use alcohol or drugs in student life because you think it will make you feel better, however, it can increase feelings of anxiety and stress.
Using alcohol and drugs also makes you more tired and less focussed, which can impact your work. To perform your best, avoid alcohol and other drugs.
Don't be tempted to cheat
While the stress of studying may lead you to think of ways to make things easier, it's extremely important that you don't use cheating websites. Australia's university regulator, Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency, has now blocked access to some of the most-visited cheating sites. If you're struggling with your course load, have a chat to your course supervisor or speak to someone at your uni student help centre. You can even talk to one of our Sonder team members who can provide support.
If you have any questions or need extra support, we're here to help you anytime in any language. Simply start a chat with us via the home screen of the Sonder app.
All content in Sonder's Help Centre is created and published for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified health professional.
Information compiled from Headspace and Better Health.
Photo by Siora Photography on Unsplash.