Ask Mandy: Season of Stress
How to manage the end-of-semester stress
“Hey Mandy, With the end of the semester coming up fast, I’m having a lot of trouble managing stress. Any tips on self-care and time management?
Sincerely, Stressed and Needing Rest”
Hi, Stressed:
Wonderful question! I am going to pass your question along to Leah Keith, my amazing editorial intern and columnist-in-training at The Wheel. Leah, take it away!
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I think we can all relate to the stress you’ve been feeling as we move towards the end of the semester. With finals right around the corner and the holiday season coming up shortly, it’s important to know how to deal with stress in a way that works for you. Here are a few tips for managing the season of stress:
1. Sleep
I know everyone says that getting enough sleep can alleviate feelings of stress, but it’s true! Getting 7-8 hours of sleep will allow your mind and body to rest, and this will help you conquer the task you need to complete throughout the day. Plus, sleeping provides a much-needed break from the academic challenges of college. Instead of pulling all nighters or staying up until 3am doing homework, I recommend putting your favorite essential oil in a diffuser and going to bed early! Your future self will thank you.
2. Plan out your life
Whether you plan out your week or plan out each day individually, make sure you have a game plan for tasks you need to complete. By scheduling out your tasks, you will be less likely to miss an assignment or feel overwhelmed with your workload. Here’s a few different ways to schedule your time
Use a planner to keep track of assignments and due dates
Create a google calendar and insert any classes, work shifts, and assignments
Write down all of your weekly assignments in a journal
Put down any tasks on a sticky note and keep them all in one place
Make To-Do lists every morning
Everyone plans out their days differently, so find what ways work best for you!
3. Clean your space to clear your mind
Cleaning your dorm or even just your desk can help you feel less stressed and more productive. When your space is clean, you won’t be as distracted by your surroundings or a mess around you. Additionally, you will feel more organized and more able to accomplish the tasks you have for the day. If you ever feel overwhelmed, take even just 10 minutes to reset your space and relax. It’ll be completely worth it, I promise.
4. Schedule your self-care
Self-care is necessary when managing stress. Whether you enjoy painting your nails or crocheting or reading a book, any task that brings you joy is an act of self-care. By scheduling out time to engage with self-care activities, you’re prioritising your mental health and treating yourself with love and compassion. After a session of self-care, you can get back to your other tasks with a clear mind.
5. Journal about your day
Journaling can be a great stress reliever!
Journaling is a great way to articulate the stress you’ve been feeling lately. By articulating your stress, you can better understand what steps you need to take to manage that stress. Additionally, journaling can help you process any and all emotions- good and bad. I like to journal when I’m feeling anxious because it helps me understand my feelings better, but I also like to journal when I’m feeling happy or excited because then I can look back on that entry and remember those emotions. Either way, journaling can be a great outlet for managing stress.
6. Physically let out your stress
Simple advice, but going on a quick walk or working out in the Butler Center can help reduce some of your stress. By letting out some of the pent-up energy from stress, you will be able to focus more on the tasks at hand. Additionally, eating healthy can also help with stress, but everyone has a different relationship with food, so do what you think is best for you!
7. Balance between social interaction and and spending time alone
Whether you go out for coffee with a friend or create a study group, social interaction can help reduce some of the stressors of life. However, make sure you balance your time between hanging out with people and spending time by yourself. Spending time alone can help you recharge and relax, and it’s important to schedule out this much needed alone time. Learn to find a balance that works for you!
8. Reach out to resources on campus
St. Kate’s offers a variety of resources on campus to help manage stress. You can schedule counseling appointments 8 times per semester. If you do not want to schedule an appointment, St. Kate’s also offers drop-in hours every weekday except Wednesday from 1-2 pm located in the library room 127D. These sessions are called “Let’s Talk,” where you can meet with a counselor for just 15-20 mins. If you’re looking for BIPOC drop-in sessions, those take place on Wed. from 1-2 pm in the same room and Thur. from 10-11 am in the MIPS office. The St. Kate’s website also offers a 24/7 crisis hotline if you’re experiencing a mental health emergency.
St. Kate's 24/7/365 Crisis Counseling line: 651-690-6805; press 1 at the prompt.
Ramsey County Urgent Care for Adult Mental Health: 651-266-7900
The National Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741
These are just a few tips for managing stress, so find out what works best for you! I wish everyone the best of luck with the upcoming finals season and the end of the semester. Sending you all my love.
xoxo, Leah
