Whether you’re a fresher or a student returning to university to continue your studies, anxiety about the academic semester ahead is common, and also, inevitable. Stress can potentially arise from various areas/circumstances, some of which you can point out, and others are just inexplicable emotions. While it is easier to say that every other person is just as overwhelmed, and everything is going to turn out just fine, your feelings of disorientation do not immediately disappear. Your experience is unique to yourself, even when many others are in the same boat.

I am here to reiterate some words you might have heard elsewhere: Nothing is as bad as it seems. It gets better. You are going to figure this out. With that little motivational boost (which I understand does not suffice), here are some useful tips to help you deal with all kinds of stress before the start of the new academic year:

Go on Wellness Walks

Going out and breathing the fresh air could significantly reduce stress levels for students. You could ask someone you know to tag along or if you enjoy your own company, you have the freedom to wander by yourself, take in the scenery, and feel the world around you deeply. You can carry out wellness walks in parks, gardens, coastal paths, and any other local spaces. ‘Me Time’ is a lot more important than you would think. We are humans and while we all have our own methods to recharge, this one could be yours. So try it out!

VLOG: How to deal with stress as a student

Practice Mindfulness

Pay attention to what you are feeling at the moment. Whether it is the taste of the food you are eating, or the the sound of an ice cream van nearby, being more in touch with the sensory world around makes you feel grounded and in control of your emotions. Take time to meditate, and to reaffirm yourself. 
One thing that has always helped me is journalling.

When I let my burdening emotions unravel in the form of words, everything becomes less scary. If this is something that has not worked out for you in the past, you can always talk to a friend. Speaking aloud about what has been bothering your mind is a great way to find relief.

Get Creative

Tapping into your creative side might be a little difficult, especially after spending months on exam preparation, university applications, internships, navigating personal life, etc. But once you get into it, it can be your biggest stressbuster.

Whether it is painting, pencil sketching, writing poetry, or other forms of art which you once enjoyed, rekindling your passion for creativity would help you gain peace while enduring stressful moments. This could even be something as simple as colouring in your adult colouring book (as proven helpful by recent research).

Queen's has over 200 clubs and societies, including the Art Society

Remember to Not Compare

As students, we can be very easily intimidated by our peers and friends who might be in a different phase of life, more qualified, skilled, or successful. This comes from a real place and can lead you to doubt yourself, or even cause your self-esteem to plummet. Remembering to not compare yourself to others around, is a vital step that should be prioritised by every student. Do not benchmark another student. Be kinder to yourself.

Eat and Sleep Healthy

While this measure might seem obvious, it is also the one that is highly neglected. 7 - 9 hours of sleep must be mandatory in your schedule. Ensure that you are always well-rested. Maintain a balanced diet (include a lot of protein and fibre), and give your health the importance and respect it deserves. Also, carry a water bottle around to stay hydrated. Try to be physically active as much as possible.

BLOG: Tips for Staying Fit and Healthy on a Student Schedule

Be Organised

If the tasks lined ahead of the next academic year is a contributing factor to your stress, try to stay organised. Break down your to-do list into manageable chunks, tick them off consistently, and come up with a plan to not overwork yourself. Packing for uni, arranging the finance, applying for visa if you are an international student, and all the other million things you need to get done can feel impossible at times, and that is valid. But you will get through this if you remain organised!

Things to know before coming to Queen's!

I hope the above-mentioned tips would help you become more relaxed as you prepare for the year ahead, and made you feel at least a little less lost. Help is always available, and the wellbeing service at Queen’s are truly there for you, no matter how big or small your concern is. And once you begin at university, your tutors and professors would guide you all the way through academically.

Furthermore, peer mentors are known for making your uni experience fun and smooth! So try to worry less about things you cannot control, and have a great year ahead!

Find out more

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Magdalene Natasha Charles Anthropology and English | Undergraduate Student | India I'm an undergraduate student pursuing Anthropology and English at Queen's. Originally from Chennai, India, I've now moved to Belfast for my studies. In my free time, I like to write poetry, and I've self-published my own collection ('Subdued Cries' on Amazon). I'm an aspiring novelist and I hope to inspire people through my writing journey. I also journal, and am fond of frolicking (or taking calming walks) through parks and gardens. I'm extremely passionate about reading and my current favourite is The Secret History by Donna Tartt. I'm constantly looking for ways to improve my personal and professional skills, and hope to gain meaningful experience during my time here at Queen's.