It is no surprise that the shift from free time and sleeping into constant deadlines & assessments is not an easy one. Around this time of year is when the second semester slump sets in for many students- which can drastically impact not only academic performance, but also mental and physical health. The demands of school, anxiety of social life, and the pressure of expectations combined make stress management strategies fundamental in order to avoid burnout and finish this school year successfully.
Setting Goals:
While we have been taught to set goals our whole lives, they often get lost in the chaos of life. This is why it is important to review them frequently and remind yourself of what you’re working towards. Goals should be personalized and realistic. Although many students already have dreams and plans for the future, this isn’t necessarily essential when setting goals. For example, if you are unsure of where you would like to end up after high school, then focus on what you know you want now. Even setting small goals is worth it to motivate you and to ultimately help you formulate a long term plan.
Plan Your Day:
Knowing your intentions for what you want to accomplish each day is another helpful way to sustain motivation. Personally, I find it helpful to write to-do lists of the things I need to complete and when they need to be done. However, this isn’t the only way to plan your day; planning can be as simple as keeping a planner or even just having an idea in your head of what must be done today.
Taking Breaks:
No matter the workload, everyone needs a break every now and then. Taking breaks are a part of self care, and they are truly important in order to avoid burnout. While everyone takes breaks differently, here are some ways that you can take the mind off of the stress of school & teen life:
-Doing something you love: Whether it’s playing Mortal Combat or drawing TV show characters, it is essential to make time for the things that make us happy.
-Exercise: While not everyone enjoys exercising, just going for a walk around the block will increase your endorphins and encourage a healthy mindset.
-Making sure you stay connected: As humans, connection is something that we crave naturally. Even just having a quick laugh with a friend or reaching out to a family member will help to lighten stress.
-Connecting with nature: In today’s screen-prevalent world, we often forget to go outside and simply enjoy the fresh air and scenery.
Time Management:
Time management is an essential skill that allows students to find time for themselves while ensuring that they still achieve their academic goals. Taking breaks is crucial, but it’s important to know when it’s time to get back into work-mode. Time blocking is one of the most effective ways to practice this skill. This entails sectioning your day into smaller chunks of time with intentions set to them. I have found this to be very effective in my own experience, although everyone is different, so it would truly be worth it to research more techniques and find the one that works the best for you.
Reward Yourself:
Pushing through stress is always easier when you have something to look forward to. And while that’s what we have seasonal breaks and summer for, many students still find themselves feeling depleted throughout the school year. This is why rewarding yourself, even for the small accomplishments, makes the strain less challenging. For instance, go for ice cream once you finally understand a hard concept, or take a relaxing bath after you aced a test. Breaks can be used as rewards as well, especially after long periods of studying.
Another important thing to remember is to always stay positive. We can’t control everything about life, and that fact can certainly be frustrating, but that’s part of what makes life worth living. When feeling overwhelmed, it can help a lot to focus on the things you’re able to control and to do what you can to keep on in the direction that you want to go. If things are ever too much, be sure to reach out to a teacher or counselor, they are here to help.
