Managing Stress in University
Managing Stress in University Stress management in the university setting is crucial for student well-being and academic success. Implementing effective strategies for managing stress can significantly impact students’ overall mental health and productivity.
By developing healthy coping mechanisms and seeking support when needed, students can navigate the challenges of university life more effectively. It is important for universities to provide resources and guidance on stress management to help students thrive in their academic pursuits.
Prioritising the management of stress in the university environment is essential for fostering a positive and conducive learning atmosphere. Okay, let’s be so for real now. University is stressful. Between tests, exams, practical and group projects there are more than enough reasons to stress. And that’s just from the academic side.
You might find yourself stressed from feeling homesick or from financial pressure you might be facing. It’s all a part of the journey. The important thing is not getting away from stress (that’s impossible) it’s about finding a way of managing stress.
Common Causes of Student Stress
Stress management can look different to different people, but the main thing is that it needs to be something that bring you some calm or uplifts your mood in some way. But it needs to be practical and sustainable. Managing stress is something of an art. It’s easy to say call your family more and budget but doing it is a bit more difficult.
It is super easy to rely on bad habits when we are stressed. However bad habits are often impractical when it comes to stress management. It may seem like having a drink or two is a good way to decompress, and it is occasionally, but it is not something that can be used consistently. A good habit is anything that takes your mind off the stressors in your life whilst also re-energising you to be able to pick up and carry on where you left off.
Prevention is always better than cure. Keep good studying habits and then you won’t find yourself stressing over an upcoming test or exam. If you spread out your work through the semester exam season will consist more of recapping information that you already know instead of having to try to learn new information the night before.
Stay focused in class, then write notes that night finally go over your notes a week later to ensure that you retain the information. If you find it difficult to focus while studying, then you might benefit from working in the IIE MSA library. You’ll feel forced to focus because everyone around you is also focused. While it may be tempting to studying form your bed, try avoiding doing that, otherwise you’ll associate being in bed with studying and will struggle to get any kind of decent sleep.
It is also worth trying to establish a study group with your friends. You don’t have to be studying the same degree. Just agree on a time that you will study together and then hold each other accountable to that. Find ways to motivate yourself.
Healthy and Practical Coping Strategies OF MANAGING STRESS
Reward yourself with a candy at the end of each chapter you cover can help with managing stress. Tell yourself that if you study all the material you planned for the day then you will order something to eat instead of having to cook. You should aim to create a realistic study schedule. It doesn’t make sense to say that you are going to tackle an entire subject in the span of three hours. If this has been your approach, it’s no wonder that you’re stressed.
- Try taking big tasks and breaking them down into smaller more digestible pieces. Instead of tackling an entire subject in three hours, cover subject over the span of a week by covering a topic or two per day with breaks in between your study sessions.
- Exercise is always a good way to clear your mind. If you can’t focus, try going for a walk or for a run. Or grab some friends and go for a hike at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens (if you take your student card, you’ll get a student discount on the entrance fee).
- If your main source of stress is money or a lack thereof then create a budget. First consider your fixed expenses. This will include things like rent, groceries, and utilities. Once you have the estimated monthly cost of these items you can take what is left of your money and divide into ‘fun money,’ ‘emergency money’, and savings. While it may be difficult to sustain an emergency fund it is still important to have just in case something comes up. Remember, not having an emergency fund is an emergency. If you can, write down your budget and send it to your parent to motivate for an increase in your allowance.
Furthermore, you have flexible hours, it might be a good idea to look for a part time job. This will increase your ability to spend whilst also giving you work experience which recruiters are always looking for when you start applying for jobs once you’ve graduated. It’s a way to kill two birds with one stone. For more help you can research bursaries that you might qualify for including financial aid options presented by IIE MSA themselves. You can find more information over here.
If you are one of our tenants and are facing financial trouble, come to our office at The Village and we will see if we can work out a payment plan or help you in whatever way possible. Studying is a lot easier when you are well rested and well fed. That means make sure that you are getting enough sleep. An all-nighter every once in while does no harm but if you are perpetually tired you won’t be able to retain any information. Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep every night and this plays a vital role when managing stress as a university student.
Additionally make sure to feed yourself well. You don’t need to be a health guru to know that only eating 2 minutes noodles or skipping meals is going to have a negative impact on your overall health. Try and have some variety in your meals. Make sure that you are eating you fruits and veggies and drinking enough water. You’ll be able to focus better and as an additional bonus your skin will start looking great too!
When to Seek Help and Support
When it’s crunch time you might find yourself getting overwhelmed. This is the perfect time to try some mindfulness. When you are stressing get up and walk away from your desk. Do a couple of stretches and do some deep breathing. Open a. window to let in soe fresh air. If none of that is helping then try and write down what you’re stressed about, it’ll help relieve some mental tension.
If you feel like you’re struggling to cope, then don’t be afraid to reach out to someone. Talk to a friend, roommate, counsellor, or come to the KCI office we’ll be willing to chat as well. There is no shame in asking for help you’ll also find the contact details of some mental health resources in your room on the door.
The most important thing when it comes to managing stress is taking care of yourself. You can’t aim for perfection because it will always remain unattainable. Your goal should be progress. Doing better next time than you did this time. Allow yourself the grace to celebrate small wins, like surviving test week or getting an improved mark.
Remind yourself that bad days happen to everyone, maybe you didn’t do well last time but you can always improve and get better. And finally, remind yourself that you are doing your best and that is good enough. Nobody could fault your results if they came from hard work and your best effort. You are not alone in the fight against stress so recognise that other people have survived it and so will you. Be kind to yourself because you can do this!
Want to make a move?
If you’re a student at IIE MSA or any nearby institution and you’re looking for a space that supports both your academic and personal well-being, consider applying for residency with us. Our properties are designed with student life in mind—offering not just a place to stay, but a community where you can focus, recharge, and stay connected. Whether you’re dealing with deadlines or just need a supportive environment to manage the everyday pressures of university life, we’re here to make it easier. Visit our office or contact us today.
