11 Stress Hacks For A Better Uni Experience

Student life can be a busy and stressful experience. IF you let it get on top of you. With so much to worry about like exams, assignment deadlines, finances and future employment, it can sometimes be easy for stress to build up and get the better of you. See our top tips written just for you for when that happens!

1. Be Active

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Go out and get some exercise! Go for a jog, a swim or a walk in the woods – it doesn't matter what you do, but regular exercise will make a huge different to your mood. You'll find that you will have even more energy and motivation to tackle your day!

2. Think Active and Positive

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If you think negative thoughts like “I just can’t do this” or “I’m never gonna be able to…”, it might just stop you doing things you otherwise could. Challenge your thinking - think positively AND realistically. Tell yourself YOU CAN and find a way. You might just surprise yourself.

3. Relax and Let Go

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Do what you can, but remember there are somethings that are simply out of your control and maybe always will be. So take a deep breath, and let go of all those tensions and anxieties that you just don’t need! Take a minute if you need it to just do nothing. You’ll be far more productive (and happy!) with a clearer mind.

4. Work Smart

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Prioritise, have regular breaks, and set specific time to work and time to rest. Working yourself into the long hours of the night might seem necessary sometimes, but is far less productive than shorter but more regular periods of study. You’ve heard the phrase ‘quality not quantity’ – well, it applies to your study time too, and not just your assignment word count.

5. Drink Less Coffee

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Limit how much coffee you drink. Although it’s tempting to drink more when you’re stressed out and tired, drinking coffee or any kind of caffeinated drink will actually make it worse! Remember to drink plenty of water to keep hydrated, to keep your brain alert and active!

6. Make a To-Do List

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Make a little list of the tasks you most need to do, and tackle them one by one. You’ll find it easier to stay focused and feel more accomplished as you see more and more getting ticked off your list.

7. Have some ‘ME’ Time

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Who wouldn’t wanna follow this advice? Take some time out to do WHATEVER YOU WANT! Take a long bath, play an instrument, read your favourite book or watch your favourite film… anything at all to relax and recover yourself to tackle whatever is stressing you out.

8. Clean up

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Take half an hour to clean up your room, study area or kitchen. You’ll find it much easier to relax, and to be more productive, in a clean and organised environment. After all, ‘a tidy room is a tidy mind’.

9. Help Others

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If stress is getting the better of you, it can be easy to get caught up in all your problems and forget about the people around you. Take some time to do something NOT for you – help out a flat mate or friend, do something nice for someone. The satisfaction and fulfillment you’ll get from doing something good for someone else will make you far more positive to face your own challenges.

10. Get a Proper Sleep

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Too little sleep is not a ‘proper’ sleep, but neither is too much! The recommended amount of sleep is 7-9 hours. Sleeping less than this can actually build up “sleep debt”. Since sleeping actually clears out toxins from your brain, building sleep debt will impact on your mental abilities such as memory.

11. Remember the Things That Matter Most

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Whatever is going on, however much you have to do, and however stressed out you become, don’t forget the things that matter most. Lean on your family and friends, spend quality time when possible and talk with them. After all, what better way is there to cheer up and put things into perspective, than spending time with the people you love?