Studies have shown that this generation of students are some of the most stressed because of various reasons. Whether it be the extensive extracurriculars they participate in, or the anxiety of trying to achieve good grades, it seems like high school students this past decade have hit a record-breaking high in stress levels. Although all students have different ways of managing stress, here are 6 of the most common ways students have managed their own stress.

1. Give yourself a break.
Take some time off from your packed schedule. Don’t rush yourself to finish everything all at once, because you’ll only end up with poor quality work. Taking breaks will help you focus more and give you the time necessary for replenishing your energy. Be careful to not overwork yourself. However, be sure to watch your time management. Try not to procrastinate and leave it to the last minute to study or complete your CPT.

2. Stay organized and create a good workspace.
Unless you work in a cubicle, don’t pack yourself into a small space. The more cluttered your space is, the less organized you are. Having an organized workspace can help you worry less about things like missing assignments or handouts given to you a few days back. Make sure all your study notes are placed in an organized manner, in a binder or folder for easy reference and to prevent from losing sheets. Keeping your notes neat and filed doesn’t only apply to hard copies but can also be applied to soft copies. Keeping your online files organized in folders on your computer may seem tiresome and meaningless, but it’ll come in handy when it comes to big tests or assignments.

3. Listen to calming music.
When people are stressed, they tend to avoid listening to music as it seems like a distraction. Listening to slow, calming music in fact can have a great relaxing effect on your mind and bodies. Singing along to the song can release some tension and stress as well. Perhaps, try listening to classical music for the best relaxation effect. However, when you are studying, it is best to turn down the music as it may sidetrack you. Also, if you begin to feel sidetracked from your music, stop your music, as it only assists in distracting you more, which increases your stress.

4. Check out meditative activities.
Even if you don’t know how to meditate, all you have to do is just close your eyes and relax. Another activity you could try is to focus on your breathing – sit up straight, close your eyes, and breathe deeply. Slowly inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. It gives you time to ease out of your busy schedules and helps you clear out your mind from all the things that give you stress.

5. Get outside and get moving.
Being holed up or locked into a desk for many hours at a time while breathing the same stale air of your house tends to increase your stress. Stepping outside and inhaling a breath of fresh air can help decrease stress. Taking up a sport, such as basketball, or even heading to a gym can help as well.

6. Develop better sleep habits.
Although going to sleep late and waking up early sounds like a standard high schooler’s sleep schedule, developing a better sleep habit is essential in reducing stress levels. Ideally, teenagers should receive about 8-10 hours of sleep every night. So if you need to wake up at 6:00 am (like me!) the ideal time to head to sleep is 8:00 pm. Sleep is very important as it helps you think and perform your best! Therefore, it is critical that you get a good amount of sleep every night, especially the night before your exam.

Try out these methods to help reduce stress this exam season! Happy studying and good luck with all your exams!

By: Brian Y. & Kristy L.
Photographer: Kristy L.
01/15/2018