By Jeanna Franklin, MS, LPCC,
Mental Health Professional
The end of the semester is near! With that usually comes additional stressors and time commitments to balance. You may be coming up on deadlines for projects and papers, have assignments and tasks to wrap up, finals to prepare for, all while eager to get out and enjoy some fresh air too. It’s normal to feel more stressed this time of year. Here are three tips that can help!
Take Care of the Basics
Taking care of your basic needs is essential to function as your optimal self. Taking care of yourself is one of the best ways to navigate this busy and stressful time. Putting energy into getting enough sleep, eating healthy, nutritious foods, staying up on hygiene routines, making time for social connections, and finding ways to relax will actually keep your energy charged up to power through what you need to.
Manage Your Time
Have you noticed time management is often on lists like this—ways to reduce stress, be successful at college, improve your grades? It is because it can be a game changer once you find what works for you! When you can manage your time effectively, you will be more confident in your abilities to complete necessary tasks and can do so efficiently.
Part of why this can be a hard skill to master is finding what works for you is a process of trial and error. Not all suggestions will be good suggestions for you. A key part of success here is to keep looking for what does work for you.
Here are 3 tips you could start with:
- Prioritize tasks from most essential to least essential
- Make a schedule
- Use a system for organization! This might be a planner, online calendar, post-it notes, reminder alerts
Be Nice
To yourself! Are you your own worst critic? It can be common to have increased negative self-talk when stress levels are elevated. Assess your thoughts as they come up. Ask yourself, is this a fact, or is it possible I am being too hard on myself? Would I say this to a friend? Being critical of yourself is not productive and can lead to increased stress, anxiety, self-doubt and other unpleasant emotions.
Reframe critical thoughts with a positive, or even neutral, message. Let’s practice!
Thought: There is no way I am going to get all of this done in time. I might as well just give up now.
Reframe: I am going to focus my energy on completing what I can. I’ve come this far!! I can do it.
Need support?
Free and confidential short-term mental health counseling with our Mental Health Professional is available. Not sure if you want to start counseling? No problem! Students can also schedule a consultation appointment to learn more. Learn more about mental health services. Ready to schedule? Here is the direct link to make an appointment now!
Students have access to additional mental health support through Mantra Health. Learn more at sctcc.edu/mantrahealth.
Do you have other concerns or stressors that you could use some support with? Wellness Resource Services has a Student Support Manager to help with non-academic needs. Contact the Student Support Manager at wellness@sctcc.edu.