Tips for Managing Stress

· Be aware of what stresses you out (i.e. taking a test, lack of sleep, arguments with friends, peer pressure, relationships, family). Also be aware of how you react to these stressors.

· Recognize which stressors you can change or reduce.  For example, assess your study environment. Is it pleasant, clean, and quiet, or is it somewhere that you can easily be interrupted? Do you have a comfortable chair and desk to sit at?  The more comfortable you are in your study environment, the more productive you will be.

· Reduce your emotional reactions to stress. This is one major aspect of your life that you can control.  Try to identify the situations where stress will not benefit you (i.e. when your computer is functioning too slow, or even when it crashes.)

· Moderate the way you physically react to stress. Try taking ten slow, deep breaths when you feel yourself stressing out.

· Take care of yourself by exercising regularly, eating well, and getting adequate sleep.