Hi everyone!

College is a very stressful time in your life. Every single day you are trying to balance school with your fraternity/sorority, clubs, work, family, relationships…literally everything. This is also the time when we need to be more on top of things than we ever have before and because of that, we put so much pressure on ourselves.  College scares me because every day I am working towards my future. What if I fail that accounting exam? What if I get a bad grade in a class? Will I even be good at marketing? I stress myself out so much every day over things that I know I don’t really need to stress over. I try to do my best to take breaks when I am feeling the stress build on me by doing things that will help my overall physical and mental health. If you are reading this and find yourself in a similar situation, these are my biggest tips for dealing with the stress college brings.

#1: Self-care is a must! 

Whether it’s playing video games or morning journaling, you need to actively do things that will better your health. My self-care includes yoga, skincare/haircare, shaving my legs, face masks, making yummy food and coffee, journaling, working out, etc. At any point in my day where I am feeling stressed out, I take a break and do at least one of these things because it relaxes me. I am so much more productive when I am actually relaxed compared to being anxious about all the things I have to complete today.

#2: Everything is going to be okay! 

I know that everyone says this, but it is true. We put an extremely high amount of pressure on ourselves for nothing. Of course, it is still very important to focus on your studies, but this is also supposed to be the most exciting time in our lives. What is the worst that could happen? You fail a test and have to talk to your professor to find a way to make it up? I know a lot of circumstances are worse than others, but try to enjoy your college experience, rather than getting to graduation day and realizing that you didn’t do anything but study. Everything has a way of working itself out.

#3: Stick to routines!

Have a routine for every day and FOLLOW it. My morning routine is what gets me through the day. I find that it sets me up for success because my morning is just for me. For example, this is my Monday morning routine:

• wake up between 6:45-7 & let the sunlight in
• light a candle
• have a glass of water
• morning journal
• yoga
• skincare/haircare
• make bed
• make coffee
• have breakfast
• get dressed
• put on makeup
• tidy up room
• do some work
• brush teeth, put on perfume & deodorant
• go grocery shopping
• write a to-do list
• pack backpack

I finish all of this by the time I start class at 11:30 but it is the perfect way to get my day started because I am focusing on making myself a priority. When strictly following this routine, I find that I am productive and relaxed throughout the day.

I just want to say that this is what works for me, if you’re not like me, something completely different than this may work for you! Each of us has our own way of dealing with stress, but what is important is that you deal with it in a positive way that will better your mental and physical health. I hope seeing my tips helps a few of you! These are things I try my best to repeat or think about every day, but some days are tougher than others. Just remember to breathe, stay positive and hang in there :)

<3 Heather