Experiencing stress once in a while is completely normal and natural. Minimal stress can even be a good thing as it can help push you to work harder. However, too much pressure to the point where you cannot manage it anymore can impact your overall well-being. And the same can be said about students.
Students often face significant stress due to academic pressure, and this can eventually affect everything from academic performance to happiness and even health. While developing coping mechanisms is essential to combat the amount of pressure most students face, learning how to manage stress is one of the key ways you can avoid feeling overwhelmed.
5 Causes of Stress & How to Manage Them
Before you arm yourself with the knowledge and ways of properly managing stress, you must first determine what causes your stress. Most reasons why students experience chronic stress can be linked back to their lifestyles. And the thing with lifestyles is that we all know that they eventually become habitual, making it a lot harder for individuals to take a step back and point out exactly what is triggering them and causing them distress. Moreover, the failure to manage your stress can result in more severe physical and mental conditions such as a weakened immune system, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, and more. But fret not! There are several ways to mitigate this. And as mentioned, one of the key ways is knowing how to manage the stress you might be experiencing. With the proper management of stress, you can not only evolve into a more well-rounded individual but overcoming the unwanted pressures of student life will be a breeze.
1. Lack of Sleep
Stress and sleep have a cause-and-effect relationship. Stress can cause lack of sleep as it heightens the body’s alertness. On the other hand, sleep deprivation can elevate your stress levels, causing your body to release more stress hormones and making it react to any distress.
Solution: Establish a bedtime routine
Students require at least 8 to 10 hours of quality sleep. To achieve this, you need to first create a bedtime routine. Establish what time you need to get to bed. Dim your lights, keep the room quiet, and avoid using your mobile devices to create a sleep-inducing environment. If activities like reading a book or carrying out your nighttime facial routine de-stresses you, go ahead and incorporate that into your bedtime routine too! These will set the tone for a relaxing evening, calms the body, and prepares you for sleep.
2. Heavy School Workload
Most students consider heavy schoolwork a significant cause of their stress. Having too much homework, projects piling up, falling behind in school subjects, and upcoming examinations are some reasons your stress levels may be heightened. A heavy school workload can be counterproductive as you won’t be able to absorb all information due to stress.
Solution: Think positive
You may be burdened by school work, projects, or examinations; however, you must think positively. Tackle one homework or project at a time – as the saying goes “Slow and steady wins the race.” You can also boost your confidence by reaffirming yourself you will succeed instead of dragging yourself down with negative thoughts.
3. Lack of Organisation
Mess causes stress – even a study by the Princeton University Neuroscience researchers backs this up . A cluttered desk leads to unwanted stress as you’re exposed to too many stimuli, making you think you have more things that need to be done than you have. It results in causing your senses to go on hyperdrive and distracts you from the things you need to focus on. A disorganised schedule can also be a cause of stress because one might lose their sense of direction regarding which tasks need to be prioritised.
Solution: Keep things tidy
Keep your desks clean and organised to avoid feeling stressed with all the unnecessary clutter. Create a study schedule that you can strictly follow so you can track all your progress and determine which tasks you need to finish first.
4. Too Little Time to Relax
Are you aware of the proverb, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”? Having little to no time to relax and have fun can cause students to feel more academic pressure as they don’t have any means to unwind and rest. Sedentary learning can become more of a hindrance than a conducive method of studying because it can cause adverse effects on your general well-being.
Solution: Allot time to destress
Find time to rest and relax. Simple ways such as avoiding burning the midnight oil to finish your homework or taking a break to watch a movie are effective ways to manage stress. Spend time with your friends and family and enjoy activities outside of schoolwork. Allowing yourself to unwind can help you recharge your mind and body and enables you to manage your stress better.
5. Lack of Support
Lack of support from your parents, peers, and teachers can sometimes lead to stress because you don’t know whom to ask for help when you cannot understand the subjects you are taking. Not being able to get the help you need for your studies can lead to academic-related pressure and eventually take a toll on your mental health.
Solution: Ask for help
Organise study groups with your peers and help each other understand subjects you find difficult. You can also get help from a JC tuition centre or secondary school tuition centre in Singapore to assist you in easing and managing stress related to your academics. Asking help from experts in the different subjects you’re taking can help take the weight off of your shoulders. Tuition teachers can help you with not only your academics but also provide you with sound advice in case you also need them outside of school hours.
How Zenith Education Studio Can Help
Keeping your stress levels at a minimum is essential if you want to succeed academically. Asking for help to improve your academic performance is one of the best ways to cope with school-related stress. Find the best Junior College and secondary school tuition in Singapore that can effectively guide you through your studies.
Zenith Education Studio offers secondary and JC tuition services to students in Singapore who need academic assistance to prepare themselves for their final examinations or brush up on the subjects they find confusing. We have a team of qualified teachers trained in creating dynamic learning environments conducive to our students’ learning. Contact us to schedule a free trial class or to enrol today.
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