10 Tips On How Stressed Out Students Can Deal With Deadlines
You’ll always see stressed-out students around on campus but you don’t need to be one of them! Dealing with stress is easier than you think and with these tips below, you’ll be able to manage your stress better when it comes to dealing with deadlines.
1. Do Not Panic!
If you’re reading this, you probably have a 4,000-word essay to write and you’ve got 2 weeks to hand it in but do not panic! Stressed-out students will probably argue that it is the most cliche and overused phrase when telling someone not to stress out but it is also the most important.
Do things step by step and you’ll soon realise each task is much easier to manage and you’ll become less stressed out!
2. Do the Required Reading
It sounds really daft but if you’ve got an essay to write about Shakespeare, reading about Einstein definitely won’t help. Make sure you do the correct reading about the subject matter for your assignment so that you are answering the question(s).
Many people under stress can forget or do silly things which is why you should refer to the first point – do not panic!
3. Make Notes
You might be required to provide quotes or references from various sources, in which case, you probably won’t be able to memorise them all!
In all, if not, most assignments, you will need to reference your sources so make sure to make a note of the required information you need to do so. Trying to search for that one book again in the library is not worth the extra stress.
4. Make Sure You Know When the Deadline Is
No, really. Make sure you know when the deadline is – write it on your calendar, put a reminder in your phone, write it on post-it notes and stick them all over your wall.
Stressed-out students can focus so much on getting assignments done that they forget when the actual deadline is. There is nothing worse than doing all-nighters and working so hard on your assignment only to realise that you missed the deadline.
5. Take Regular Breaks
Constantly working on your assignments can be draining so make sure to take regular breaks whether it’s a nap or a walk to get fresh air. Staying locked up in your room for a long time won’t be good for you mentally or physically.
Taking a break from your assignments can also help clear your mind and when you get back to your assignments, you’ll pick up on grammatical mistakes or words spelled incorrectly.
6. Make Sure You Stay Hydrated and Fed
Apart from taking the odd nap or getting fresh air, don’t forget to eat and drink! Deadlines are important but so is taking care of your body.
You won’t help yourself if you fall ill and spend the last week before your deadline making trips to the doctor’s surgery when that precious time could be spent working on your assignments.
7. Find a Suitable Environment To Work In
You might work better in a quiet library or a cafe or even holed up in your own room. Wherever it is, make sure it is an environment that helps you concentrate.
When deadlines are looming, the last thing you want is to be constantly distracted and end up doing everything last minute.
8. Make Sure You Have the Right Equipment
Be prepared and make sure you have all the equipment you need before starting on your assignment. After all, how can you start your assignments without the tools to complete it?
9. Proofread and Check Your Work
Don’t be so focused on deadlines or getting your assignments done that you forget to spellcheck your work. If your assignment is filled with grammatical and spelling mistakes, it’s more than likely going to annoy your professor.
Proofread and check your work so that it reads clearly and smoothly – your professor will also understand what point you are trying to make.
10. Don’t Submit Your Work Last Minute
Deadlines are put in place for a reason because when you miss the deadline, you’re dead (and you also get a big fat zero).
Submit your work well in advance and not 2 minutes before the deadline. Technology may not be on your side and there may be technical issues or your WiFi may just decide to stop working and before you know it, you’ve missed the deadline.
