Students are one of the most common victims of stress. Factors such as financial expenses, overcommitment, family expectations, deadlines and workload all induce stress in students. While a mild amount of stress is very useful and acts as a motivation for students, too much stress can interfere with their daily lives. When built over time, stress can give rise to a host of serious problems such as depression and anxiety. Managing stress in its early stages can help maximize the college/university experience and opportunities for students. There are three kinds of common stress triggers students experience: *Social. Social stress puts serious peer pressure on students. Dealing with new relationships, balancing academic life with social life, living with or without family members, adjusting to the new environment, all trigger stress in students. *Academic. Strict schedules, deadlines, low grades, challenging classes, exams, responsibilities, and poor time management all lead to a buildup of academic stress. *Daily life. This stress is associated with issues that are not related to academic or social life. These can include daily commute, part-time job, financial burdens, and so on. Practical stress management can help students deal with their worries and become more productive, competent and efficient. Here are a few tips for managing stress: *Manage time. Proper time management is one of the most effective stress-relieving techniques (Macan et al., 1990). Whether it’s relaxation, work or study, time must be spent wisely. Students must be able to design and stick to a timetable. Choose a relaxing break between work and study, even if it’s just taking out time to breathe. *Exercise and get some air. A healthy lifestyle is essential for students, especially at university level. Instead of partying at night and being cooped up at home studying throughout the day, take out time to get some air and exercise. Stress is generally lower in people who maintain a healthy routine. *Stay positive. If you keep focusing on the negative aspects of a situation, you will be burdened by mental stress (Thompson & Gaudreau, 2008). Instead, try to look at the glass half full, and stay optimistic through tough times. For example, instead of feeling upset over a bad grade, try to maintain a positive attitude and look at ways to improve the next time. *Organize your academic life. Organization is very important in academic life for dealing with stress (Sinha, 2014). By keeping academic notes organized, turning in assignments on time, and keeping track of all deadlines, stress can be reduced to a great extent.

*Stop procrastinating. The best way to stop procrastinating is to get the most difficult tasks out of the way first. Most people procrastinate because they dread the task they’re putting off. Get rid of the dreaded deed, and you’re good to go.

*Take one step at a time. Don’t put too many eggs in one basket. Instead of feeling overwhelmed about all the deadlines, it’s best to make a list and sort them out one by one. This helps you to be more efficient and productive with your time.

*Spend time with friends. A cup of coffee with family or friends is all you need to bring your stress levels back to normal. Stress can also get worse if a person feels lonely. By letting out all your thoughts to someone you trust, you immediately feel a lot better. *Water therapy. Water therapies are effective for reducing stress and relaxing the body (Lewis & Webster, 2014). By drinking lots of water and treating yourself to hot baths, you can help your body relax. By adding aromatic oils in your bath, you can double your relaxation effect and improve your academic performance.

*Do something you love. If you feel extremely stressed out, take a break and do something you love. Whether it is painting or listening to music, doing something you enjoy can cheer up your mood and distract you from a stressor. A general rule of thumb is to moderate your workload and avoid taking on too much. Following the tips above can ensure you find and maintain a good balance in your academic life. If normal management tips do not help, seek advice from your university’s student support services or other professionals.

Peer Pressure: Its Influence on Teens and Decision Making PRINT First published 2008 kids.JPGSay you’re sitting around with some friends playing video games and someone mentions a particular game that happens to be one of your favorites. “Oh, that game’s easy. So not worth the time,” one of your friends says dismissively. The others agree. Inwardly, you know that it is a game you happen to enjoy quite a lot but, outwardly, not wanting to debate the issue, you go along with the crowd. You have just experienced what is commonly referred to as peer pressure. It is probably more accurate to refer to this as peer influence, or social influence to adopt a particular type of behavior, dress, or attitude in order to be accepted as part of a group of your equals (“peers”). As a teen, it’s likely you’ve experienced the effect of peer influence in a number of different areas, ranging from the clothes you wear to the music you listen to. Peer influence is not necessarily a bad thing. We are all influenced by our peers, both negatively and positively, at any age. For teens, as school and other activities take you away from home, you may spend more time with your friends than you do with your parents and siblings. As you become more independent, your peers naturally play a greater role in your life. Sometimes, though, particularly in emotional situations, peer influence can be hard to resist—it really has become “pressure”—and you may feel compelled to do something you’re uncomfortable with. What scientific research tells us about peer influence “There are two main features that seem to distinguish teenagers from adults in their decision making,” says Laurence Steinberg, a researcher at Temple University in Philadelphia. “During early adolescence in particular, teenagers are drawn to the immediate rewards of a potential choice and are less attentive to the possible risks. Second, teenagers in general are still learning to control their impulses, to think ahead, and to resist pressure from others.” These skills develop gradually, as a teen’s ability to control his or her behavior gets better throughout adolescence. According to Dr. B. J. Casey from the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, teens are very quick and accurate in making judgments and decisions on their own and in situations where they have time to think. However, when they have to make decisions in the heat of the moment or in social situations, their decisions are often influenced by external factors like peers. In a study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), teen volunteers played a video driving game, either alone or with friends watching. What the researchers discovered was that the number of risks teens took in the driving game more than doubled when their friends were watching as compared to when the teens played the game alone. This outcome indicates that teens may find it more difficult to control impulsive or risky behaviors when their friends are around, or in situations that are emotionally charged. The positive side While it can be hard for teens to resist peer influence sometimes, especially in the heat of the moment, it can also have a positive effect. Just as people can influence others to make negative choices, they can also influence them to make positive ones. A teen might join a volunteer project because all of his or her friends are doing it, or get good grades because the social group he or she belongs to thinks getting good grades is important. In fact, friends often encourage each other to study, try out for sports, or follow new artistic interests. In this way, peer influence can lead teens to engage in new activities that can help build strong pathways in the brain. As described in the article “Teens and Decision Making: What Brain Science Reveals,” neural connections that are weak or seldom used are removed during adolescence through a process called synaptic pruning, allowing the brain to redirect precious resources toward more active connections. This means that teens have the potential, through their choices and the behaviors they engage in, to shape their own brain development. Therefore, skill-building activities—such as those physical, learning, and creative endeavors that teens are often encouraged to try through positive peer influence—not only provide stimulating challenges, but can simultaneously build strong pathways in the brain. While we are constantly influenced by those around us, ultimately the decision to act (or not to act) is up to us as individuals. So when it comes to decision making, the choice is up to you.

It may seem counter-intuitive to dedicate precious time to learning about time management, instead of using it to get on with your work, but the benefits are enormous: •Greater productivity and efficiency.

•A better professional reputation.

•Less stress.

•Increased opportunities for advancement.

•Greater opportunities to achieve important life and career goals.

How to Study Efficiently

Studying may seem daunting, but it’s an important skill to learn for school and for life. Learning how to study more effectively can help you improve your grades and retain knowledge. It can a little more time to prepare at first, but the more you practice, the more efficient your studying will become!

 

Approach studying with the right mindset. Researchers have found that the way students approach studying is almost as important as what and how students study. Think positively. Don’t let yourself feel overwhelmed or intimidated. Believe in yourself and your ability to meet this challenge.Don’t think about worst-case scenarios. Manage your time, and try to look on the bright side of your study situation, even if it’s unpleasant or stressful. Just don’t overdo it, or your optimism may make you overlook the seriousness of the exam or get you easily distracted.See each obstacle as an opportunity to learn and grow.Don’t compare your grades to anyone else’s. Competitive thinking will only stress you out further.

 

Stick to a dedicated study routine. Staying on schedule can help you manage your time and your workload, and may make it easier to focus on the task at hand. Try entering a “date” with yourself to study in your planner or calendar. You may be more likely to take your study sessions as a serious responsibility if they’re formal appointments with yourself.

Try changing up your surroundings for more efficient study sessions. Studies suggest that alternating where a person studies can actually improve information retention. Know whether you work best in a quiet space or with ambient noise.Try studying with the windows open (weather permitting). Researchers have found fresh air to be energizing and revitalizing.
Be as comfortable as possible. You shouldn’t be so comfortable that you’ll fall asleep, but feeling uncomfortable can make it difficult to concentrate. Set up a comfortable atmosphere conducive to studying.Choose a chair that will be comfortable to sit on for upwards of one hour at a time. Use a desk or table so you can spread out your study materials. Avoid your bed. You might get so comfortable that you don’t study. Associating other activities than sleep with your bed can also make it harder for you to sleep well.

Study without distractions. Turn your cell phone and TV off and resist the urge to check your social media accounts. These kinds of distractions can deter you from work and can make it difficult to retain information you are learning. You may think that you’re a good multi-tasker, but studying while doing other things like using Facebook, Instagram, and the like is not good.
Don’t cram. Breaking up the material you need to cover into small, manageable chunks is more effective than trying to memorize everything all at once. Cover material in shorter sessions over a period of several days or even weeks for the best results.

Consider joining a study group. Researchers have found that students who study together in groups tend to perform better on tests and quizzes.

 

 

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton