May 18, 2012

Stress Management Tips for College Students

The life of a college student isn’t always fun and games. Sure, there are the parties and the social interaction, but college can be a stressful place for a committed student. So, before you get stressed over the next semester, here are a few tips to make your school week a breeze.

Being organized is the best way to reduce stress. Things pile up on students because they lack a system, or a plan of attack. Keeping organized will provide a path to getting things done. This means using your smartphone, or getting a planner, so you can remember when things are assigned and when they are due. You should make it a habit to consult your calendar every morning. Of course, this is only useful if, after making an organized study schedule, you stick to it!

Taking time for yourself can be another great way to eliminate stress. This doesn’t always mean going to the latest, hottest party. It means doing something that you genuinely enjoy. This could be any number of things, perhaps browsing for Atlanta apartments or taking a bike ride. Take at least half an hour per day to relax, no matter what your schedule looks like. If you are having trouble finding time, schedule it in and build around that.

Being a student isn’t an overwhelming experience if you handle your stress in a productive way. Just remember to stay organized and to take time for yourself, and you will have a much more enjoyable time at school.

 

Keeping up With Your AP Coursework

Many students who take Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school tend to take on a little too much and may fall behind or get too stressed trying to keep up. However, there are some strategies that one can use to help organize things and alleviate some of the stress.

Keep up a good attendance record. Generally the instructor who is teaching the AP course has a good idea of what is going to be on that portion of the AP exam. It would be wise for you to attend class and take good notes about what is covered.

It would be extremely beneficial to you to keep up with the reading assignments. Many AP courses require at least five pages of text to be read each night. There are usually frequent quizzes and tests that come up, so keeping up with your reading will help you be prepared.

Become an expert on what you are studying. This can be accomplished by taking lots and lots of notes. Take notes on everything including lectures, reading assignments, and outside material.

Ask for help when you need it. If you do not understand something that is being taught, do not be afraid to ask other students in the class or go to your instructor for additional help. If you do not get the help you need when you need it, you may fall behind in class and have difficulty catching up later.

Go into the AP exam with a positive attitude. Often you know more than you realize. Although, if you go into the exam with the attitude that you are going to fail… you probably will!