Stressmanagement

Stress is a huge part of college. Keeping stress levels low can be very difficult. For me, I feel most stressed when I leave my work to last minute. When I have an exam, I try to begin planning at least a week before. If I try to study the night or two before the exam, I don't know any of the information with not nearly enough time to learn it all. Not being fully prepared causes me so much stress. Being stressed effects my whole life. When I'm stressed I can't eat or less or focus at all. I used the Stress-Ometer to work out my weekly stress. I found that my my stressful days are Tuesdays and Thursdays, when my I have the most classes, Monday and Wednesday are a little less stressful because I only have 1 class those days, and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are the least stressful. This would be a great strategy to use at the beginning of the semester, so I can make a schedule of which days are my homework days. This way I can spread my work out and not feel overwhelmed by homework on certain days. I can spread my work out and get all my work done on the days that are least stressful. Had I made this at the beginning of the semester, I could have made a schedule to get all my homework done on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, when I only have one or two classes. For next semester, I definitely plan on using the Stress-Ometer next semester, with my new schedule.

Using my planner, and making priority lists can also be a great way for me to avoid leaving my work to the last minute. I made a list of things for each class that I still have to do from now to the end of the semester. I printed out two copies and put them in places I would where I would always see them, and constantly be reminded of what I have to do. I posted one on my bulletin board next to my bed, and the other in my planner.  This way, I could check them off when I finish them, and not leave any of the assignments to the last minute. 

Overall, I found that making a list of priorities to be the most effect way for me to avoid stress. I helps me avoid forgetting my assignments and from leaving assignments to the last minute. For the future, I will definitely use this strategy. It's rewarding for me to check the assignments off after I did them in advanced, rather than worrying about getting it done the night before its due!