The KnowHow student team have created a series of blogs to help you prepare for the upcoming assessment period. This blog is by Colette, a fourth year geology student at the University of Liverpool.
I know how hard it can be to manage your wellbeing whilst at university. You have many assignment deadlines approaching, you’re having to take care of yourself for the first time, and you still want to get the most out of your university experience. I’m here to tell you some useful tips and tricks to prevent getting worn out and stressed.
I find that going for a nice long walk helps me to clear my mind and relax so that I can re-focus on my studies. It is not healthy to study for hours on end with no break and it will leave you feeling burnt out.
I also find it helpful to use meditation exercises to relax my mind and de-escalate stress. There is a Meditation Society at the University so if you’re new to meditation, I would recommend joining. It would also give you the opportunity to make friends.
Eat healthy. A takeaway every night is not feeding your brain nor is not having any lunch because you’re busy studying. Try to have three meals a day and eat some fruit. I know it’s corny, but fruit actually is food for the brain. I feel generally better on days where I’ve had some. I work more efficiently and for longer.
A wellbeing journal can also be very beneficial. It encourages you to focus on the positives and address issues surrounding your wellbeing. This kind of self-awareness can open your eyes to underlying problems and helps you to address them before they affect your wellbeing.
Managing your time is also very important. Making sure that you work to a timetable and prepare for upcoming deadlines will lower stress and allow you to enjoy your time at university. Have a look at KnowHow’s online tutorial on Time Management through the KnowHow:Study for Success Canvas course for more help.
Ask for help! Too many times I have felt stressed because I didn’t understand an assignment, but you should just ask. I know it can seem overwhelming at first but that is what lecturers and peers are there for and no one will dismiss you for simply asking.
Do not put too much pressure on yourself. I’ve previously made myself ill by stressing over assignments to the point where they overtake my life. Nothing is worth doing that to yourself. This also leads back to my earlier points as asking for help and managing your time can usually avoid this occurring.
Breaks are SO important. I know all too well that it can be frustrating when people are telling you to take a break when you have a stressful deadline approaching. You feel guilty for relaxing as if you should be constantly working on your assignment. This is not attainable and not beneficial to your wellbeing so remember to take regular breaks and give yourself breathers.
Finally, there are services to help you if you haven’t been taking care of your wellbeing as you should be. Go to the Alsop building for Counselling Services and always contact your faculty’s Student Experience Team if you require extensions or extenuating circumstances. I have used both services and have found them to be extremely helpful.
Don’t EVER feel ashamed that you need to use these. These services are there for you if you ever need them. I hope that this blog has given you some ideas on how to improve your wellbeing during your time at university. It’s never too late to take action and get back in control!
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