Dealing with student stress in the best way

University can be fun and exciting but there is a level of student stress within the experience. You may find that starting university is overwhelming and then you get advised about the coursework and exams. This will not have come as a shock to you as everyone knows that schooling comes with some sort of exam and preparation work.

What is Student Stress and ways to manage stress:

Being stressful is a natural feeling. It is designed to help you cope with challenging situations. In small amounts, it can be good, because it pushes you to work hard and do your best, such as during exams. But if it persists for a long term and you cannot manage it then this is when it is best to talk to someone. Additionally, It can lead to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety which alternatively can affect your academic performance and hamper your physical health.

Symptoms of Student Stress can be:

There are lots of symptoms of stress but the common ones tend to be when you feel:

• Irritable
• Anxious
• Lack of Concentration
• Inability to enjoy day-to-day activities
• Worried a lot of the time

These can lead to:

• Sleep problems (insomnia)
• Mood Swings
• Finding it hard to concentrate
• Biting your nails, picking your skin, or grinding your teeth
• Snapping at people
• Feeling breathless or breathing very fast.

How to combat stress?

Short periods of stress are normal and can often be resolved by something as simple as completing a task which cuts down your workload. Additionally, talking to others and taking time to relax.

• Work out what it is that is making you stressed. Is it exams, money, or relationship problems? See if you can change your circumstances to ease the pressure.
• Try to ensure your eating well and getting enough sleep. As well as that using tools like meditation and yoga to help relax can work well.
• Obviously avoid food types that don’t agree with you and lots of caffeine. These can have a negative impact on your stress levels and wellbeing.
• Try not to compare yourself to others.
• Break your work down in to manageable chunks so you can keep up with deadlines.
• Furthermore, talk to a friend, tutor or someone in your family about your stress.
• Read our blog on stress with exams.
• Ask your university student services if they have any stress help groups. Subsequently, some we have seen even have a stress phone line that you can ring to just talk about things.

Last but not least, if you are not finding anything that is helping, please reach out to a medical professional for advice and support. Alternatively, here are some contacts:

Anxiety UK

03444 775 774 (helpline) 
07537 416 905 (text)
anxietyuk.org.uk
Advice and support for people living with anxiety.

Samaritans

116 123 (freephone)
jo@samaritans.org
Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS
samaritans.org
Samaritans are open 24/7 for anyone who needs to talk. You can visit some Samaritans branches in person. Samaritans also have a Welsh Language Line on 0808 164 0123 (7pm–11pm every day).

Subsequently, if you would like any help or support with finding a Graduate role then please do contact us. Additionally, check out our LinkedIn for up to date job posts.