Is school stressing you out? Not enough hours in the day? Feeling like your running on empty? Well, here’s some news for you, you are not alone. Every student hits the wall at some point in time but the important thing is to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and avoid hitting anymore (walls hurt, you know). Here are a few tips to help kick that mid-semester slump!

#1: Slow down, take a step back and assess your situation – Every student is different, but if you are like me, then you tend to stretch yourself thin to the point where it affects your grades, health, and overall well-being. One important thing to remember is to slow down and take note of what is causing such stress in your life. Whether it is grades, projects, or your significant other (I think we’ve ALL been there), recognizing what is taking a toll on your emotional health is the first step to managing your stress.
#2: Make changes in your routine – Okay, this one is easier said than done but it’s a big one! When you finally decide to take control of your stress, you need to be intentional. Congratulate yourself when you are successful and redirect yourself when old habits start rearing their ugly little heads again. I am not saying slap yourself on the wrist (I mean, whatever works for you, buddy) but discipline yourself to deal with only what you can manage in a healthy fashion.
#3: No, you do not need to do everything! – I struggle with this one myself. Remember that you are a college student first and everything else comes second. Yes, you may have national conference on the importance of puppetry this weekend but that biology test is not going to study itself (the principle of osmosis does not work in this situation, sorry). Prioritize your schedule to include only the essential things such as homework, tests, and other assignments and see where other activities can fit in afterwards.
#4: Don’t let your thoughts get the best of you – As majorly disappointing or embarrassing a situation may be, it is not the end of the world. However, deciding to become fixated on all the potential outcomes of a stressful event does nothing for you. Take a moment, breathe, and move forward. Do not allow yourself to get stuck in the vicious cycle of anxious thoughts, they do not help you in the long run. Remember, you will be alright.
#5: Forgive yourself, man – Mistakes happen. Failure happens too. There is no sense in dwelling on things you cannot change. It is better to figure out why this situation occurred and correct it so it does not happen again. Forgiving yourself for mistakes is an important factor in managing stress because it provides closure. No longer do you have to think, “I messed up with this” or “I messed up with that,” no! We all make mistakes, best to learn from them and grow!