Managing stress at university

Managing your stress effectively while at university is important for your mental health but it also helps you to enjoy your time and become fully immersed in university life!

Stress is an inevitable part of everyone's university experience. If you're not stressed at some point during your degree, master’s, or Ph.D. then you are probably doing something wrong!

Here are my top tips for managing stress;

1. Look after your mental and physical health

Eating a diet full of fruit, vegetables, complex carbohydrates, and protein with very low amounts of processed food, alcohol and caffeine will ensure you can concentrate and focus better on your schoolwork. If you find cooking challenging why not cook with a friend or housemate? Sleep is important for memory consolidation, and maintenance of immune system function. Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and your phone before bed can help if you have insomnia. Exercise improves concentration, memory, and sleep and helps to maintain your mood. Doing it with a friend, attending an exercise class, or joining a sports team will help if you struggle with motivating yourself to exercise.

2. Social support

Surrounding yourself with a good group of friends is really important for managing your stress. Doing an activity with a friend such as going for a run, or playing a board game are great ways to take your mind off of your stress while also doing something you enjoy. Becoming a Brunel Volunteer can be a wonderful way of meeting new like-minded people. Volunteering can help boost your confidence and self-esteem, learn new skills and provide you with a sense of community.

3. Start early

If you have an exam or assignment due at the end of the year or the semester it’s best to begin research/studying early in the term. This helps reduce some of the stress and worry you feel later on in the semester as the deadline/exam date approaches. Create a plan for how you want to complete your work. Don’t compare your progress to others. Everyone learns in different ways and at different paces. Access support in the library through ASK or by emailing one of the Academic Library Liaisons for tips on study skills, assignments, or dissertations.

4. Access support

The Student Centre in Brunel has lots of avenues of support for students. There is one-to-one counselling which is available for 6 weeks, mental health advisors to provide you with longer-term support, and mentors to help with study skills and time management. All are available on campus or online to give you weekly support. The Student Union often has workshops on stress management that are free to attend. Speak with your tutor if you are struggling with academic or personal problems so that they can ensure that you do not fall behind on your coursework and get the support you need.

5. Keep calm and meditate!

Meditation is a very healthy way to deal with stress. Get the Headspace app or listen to guided meditations on YouTube. Daily practice will improve your emotional resilience. This will mean that exams, presentations, and deadlines become a bit easier to manage. Challenge that inner negative voice and keep it at bay with positive affirmations.

6. Budgeting and finance

If money is something you worry about then creating a weekly budget can help to reduce this stress. Having a weekly budget for your food shop, rent, bills, and social activities will mean that you feel more in control of your spending habits and may help to reduce impulse buying. Having a part-time job can be a great way of developing your time management skills. However, it is important to reduce your hours if your schoolwork is becoming more demanding of your time.