By: Aurora Dziadul | Staff Writer
We all know the feeling of panic that seems to seize you at the end of the semester, as your mind runs through the hundred and one things you have left to do before break begins. Maybe you have five semester-long papers that you haven’t even started writing, or finals in classes you haven’t even read for. Add that to the family members and friends that you have to find, wrap, and deliver gifts for, and this ends up being one of the most stressful times of the year.
Yet how much of that stress is actually caused by the situation? Probably less than you think. Psychologists have found that some people tend to put more stress on themselves than necessary, causing panic and making it even harder to start and complete the projects that they need to. Answer the questions below to find out if you have an especially stress-prone personality.
- Do you multitask a lot—e.g., eat lunch while writing a paper, read while listening to a video/music, etc.?
- Yes,all the time.
- Sometimes.
- No,almost never.
- Do you constantly think about and focus on all of the stressful things in your life, especially at night?
- Yes,all the time.
- Sometimes.
- No,almost never.
- Do you have interests outside of school/work?
- Yes,many.
- Some.
- No,not really.
- Do you share your feelings, whether positive or negative, with others?
- No,almost never.
- Sometimes.
- Yes,all the time.
Mostly a’s: You have a stress-prone personality! See the tips below for how to deal with the demands of school at this busy time of year.
Mostly b’s: You are somewhat stress-prone, but not overly so. Some of the tips below may help you manage your school work better.
Mostly c’s: You are not stress-prone at all! Congratulations on not putting excess stress on yourself.
Psychologists have shown that some of the stress we experience comes from how we see and respond to a situation. Just thinking about them creates a stress response in the body, similar to how it responds to an illness. In fact, enduring prolonged stress can make you more susceptible to chronic illness and heart problems. It is important for both our mental and physical health that we learn how to deal with it.
Tips to Handle the End of the Semester—With Less Stress!
- Make a written list, and break things down. Make one big task into many little tasks—it makes it appear a lot more manageable and helps you make sure that you don’t forget anything.
- Don’t spend too much time mentally running through your list of to-dos. It’s better to write them all down and then refer back to that. Constantly thinking about your stress only compounds the problem. It is especially important to clear your mind before going to sleep, as thinking about these things can actually disrupt your sleep and make you even more susceptible to stress and illness.
- Do things one at a time. Your work quality will improve exponentially if you are not trying to do a million things at once. While it seems counter intuitive, you will actually be more efficient tackling one task at a time.
- Take time to do things outside of schoolwork. Some studies have shown that we only have a few hours of productivity per day, so it is important to give your mind a break from the same screen you’ve been staring at for hours. Simply talking to a friend, reading a book, or going for a walk can improve your quality of work when you return.
- Find a place where you feel comfortable and can be productive. We all have a space where we work best, whether that be the library, a common area, or your dorm room, a quiet place with little distractions can lower your stress level and allow you to be more productive.Also remember to turn off your phone and other electronics so you’re not distracted.
