Navigating Stress as a Student: Strategies and Insights

Stress is a common companion for students, but with the right strategies and insights, you can manage it effectively. Let's explore how to create a balanced schedule, reduce stress through relaxation techniques, and find the right attitude towards education.

Creating a Balanced Schedule

It's essential to understand that the week has a finite number of hours, and managing your time wisely can significantly impact your stress levels. Let's break down the hours in a week and see how you can allocate them effectively.

In a week, you have 168 hours. Here’s a breakdown:

Sleep: 8 hours a day (56 hours) School: 6 hours a day (30 hours) Cleaning and hygiene: 1 hour a day (7 hours) Eating: 3 hours a day (21 hours) Travel: 1 hour a day (5 hours)

Total so far: 119 hours

Leaving: 49 hours

Australian students, on average, spend 27 hours a week on flat screens. With this in mind, you have much more time than you might think if you reduce screen time. Make your own time table and explore what you can do to reduce your stress!

Exploring Stress Management Techniques

Remember, stress management is not just about yoga and meditation, although both are valuable. Many universities and colleges offer stress relaxation classes. If these are not available, you can always find helpful videos on YouTube.

One of my personal recommendations is to draw a lion on your whiteboard then cross it out with an X. This strategy is rooted in how the body responds to stress. Here’s why:

Stress and Anxiety: Your body’s fight, flight, or freeze response is a common reaction to stress. This response evolved to handle life-or-death situations. However, in modern times, this response is often triggered by non-life-threatening situations. The Lion Analogy: When a stressed student experiences a panic attack or an overwhelming feeling, it’s like being in the presence of a lion. However, in reality, no lion is present. The idea is to recognize that the anxiety you feel is misplaced and not appropriate for the current situation. Meditation and Relaxation: By meditating and focusing on your body’s sensations, you can learn to disrupt the stress response and help your body and mind reset.

Reflect on Your Education

Consider the purpose of education beyond mere grades and financial gain. Your education is a journey of continuous learning and questioning, not a solution to all your problems. Here are some considerations:

Stop and Reflect: If you are stressed because you need a certain grade to qualify for something, drop out! Money will always create more money problems. Interest and Motivation: If you are struggling, perhaps you are not genuinely interested in the subject. Recognize that your life is long, and it is not worth enduring something you don't enjoy. Find Meaning: If you are interested in what you are learning, you likely wouldn’t be stressed. Apply the lion drawing strategy to these situations as well.

Real-life Application

Several years ago, I talked to a student named Francis who was battling severe test anxiety. Francis, a grade 11 student, was so upset before tests that she couldn't focus. Her mother and I discussed the lion drawing technique, and it seemed to resonate with her. Francis drew a lion on her whiteboard, crossed it out with an X, and kept it to herself.

A week later, Francis’s mother told us that Francis had a test the morning after we talked. She only texted her mom about the test after writing it, and there was no stress before, during, or after the test. Since then, Francis has been accepted into her chosen program and has been struggling but staying on track.

Remember, stress management is a journey, not a destination. By understanding your body’s response to stress and finding the right strategies, you can navigate through the challenges of student life with greater ease and resilience.