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Dear Dot,
Summer is about to begin and not only do I have to get ready for my internship to start, I have finals next week. I’ve noticed that I am more stressed than usual and it’s harder for me to concentrate. How do I stay focused and relaxed with so much going on?
Trenton B.
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Dear Trenton,
Feeling stressed, pressured, and overwhelmed during this time of the year is normal as a college student. Look at the list below and check off areas where you need to focus on to relieve some of the school and summer internship pressures:
Time Management: The first step to time management is to GET ORGANIZED by scheduling activities, commitments, and due dates. Along with organizing your schedule, it’s important to organize your environment. Organize your desk and your class materials so you can easily find information. The second step is to PRIORITIZE your schoolwork and identify what is most important. When you prioritize your work, you will be more efficient in finishing your assignments and thus be less stressed. The third step is to AVOID PROCRASTINATION and start working on projects and studying weeks ahead of time.
Nutrition/Exercise: EXERCISE increases your energy level and helps relieve tension. Performing some sort of physical activity for thirty minutes three times a week will considerably lower your stress level. Taking the time to exercise will help get your mind off the chaos and stress in your life. EATING well-balanced meals will provide you with enough energy to accomplish your daily activities. Avoid foods with lots of sugar because they only provide a small burst of energy. Instead, stick with healthy foods such as vegetables and fruit and try not to skip meals.
Sleep: You need between seven to eight hours of sleep per night in order to rest your mind and body so they can perform well during the day. Although it may be difficult to find that much time to sleep, it will make you more alert, less irritable, and able to manage stress more effectively. Also, keep in mind that sleeping too much is just as unhealthy as not getting enough sleep.
Relaxation: Taking the time to relax will help rejuvenate you so you can face your stressors head on. Check out the Guided Imagery Relaxation and Progressive Muscle Relaxation downloadable audio provided by Marquette University’s Counseling Center.
Finals and starting new jobs can certainly be a time of stress – this we cannot control. What we can control is taking care of ourselves and making sure we are able to deal with the stress in a healthy way. If your stress is related to your career path, call the Career Services Center for an appointment with a career counselor at (414) 288-7423. If you are having other personal difficulties, call the Counseling Center to make an appointment at (414) 288-7172.
Some information provided by: http://www.ecampustours.com/campuslife/studyhabitsandtimemanagement/
Good luck!
Dot
If you have career-related questions you would like Dot to answer, please e-mail them to career.services@marquette.edu with “Dot” in the subject line.
