Stress is one of the most common side effects of going to college. Sometimes it can be a good thing, fueling us to push to our limits and excel in our chosen field of study. Unfortunately, too much can be physically harmful to us.

As you continue to wade through piles and piles of homework and educational obligations, remember to take some time for yourself and test out a couple of these tips.

Make a schedule, and stick to it

This can be a really hard one, but if you try your hardest to make a routine and stick to it, you’ll find lower stress levels.

Sticking to your schedule is a major part of stress management. Make sure you follow through when you schedule study times. Getting things out of the way can significantly help with stress levels.

Schedule time for you

When you are planning out your weeks, make sure there are little pockets of time to do something that makes you happy. Read a book, watch a quick episode on Netflix or make yourself a little treat.

Even more important—make sure you keep those appointments. If you were planning appointments with another person, you would find it important to keep those appointments. Remember that it is essential to take that time for yourself.

Exercise

When you are trying to juggle school, work, homework and time for yourself, it’s hard to imagine that there could possibly be time left for anything else.

However, making exercising a priority can help keep both your body and mind healthy, helping you to be productive, get things off your plate and eliminate stress in the long run.

You don’t have to schedule extensive workouts. A quick walk around the block, or a little bit of yoga can help clear your mind and help you stay on top of everything.

Eat healthy
Eating healthy is another key part of keeping your mind in tip-top shape. Eating food high in sugar and fat can make you feel sluggish and unmotivated and can cause you to opt for sleep instead of studying.

Eating healthy is easy if you’re willing to put in the time and really think about what you’re putting into your body. Eating foods high in essential vitamins and minerals can help you feel motivated to complete your to-do list and eliminate stress.

Usually around this time things get piled on and we start to feel overwhelmed, but remember to take care of yourself and you’ll have a minimally stressful semester.