It’s the end of the school day, and you find yourself with a mountain of tasks: pages to read, a test to study for, math problems to solve, and a group project to kickstart. You’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed, and you need a plan to tackle it all. Thankfully, there are strategies to help you manage your workload today and throughout your academic career.
We spoke with the remarkable tutors at Stride, who shared their best advice on how to handle stress and feel less overwhelmed by schoolwork. Here are their five tips to make your academic journey smoother and less stressful:
Create a structured study schedule.
Establishing a study schedule can provide a sense of control by helping you stay on track with your academic tasks. Here’s what the Stride tutors recommend:
- “Use a planner or an agenda to map out your time. Plan accordingly and stick to it!” – Adrianne B., Middle School Math Tutor
- “Establish a daily routine that includes dedicated study time, breaks, and relaxation activities.” – Shani G., High School Science Tutor
- “I recommend students create a reasonable plan and put in consistent effort to keep what they can control, like their school schedule, in a routine that works for them. There will always be stressors in life, but with a plan and consistent effort you can overcome anything!” – Ryn B., High School Math Tutor
Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques.
Mindfulness practices can help lower stress and negative thoughts, all while boosting your energy and focus. There’s even solid research backing this up! Explore different techniques to find what works best for you, whether that’s journaling, meditation, breathing exercises, or guided imagery. These methods work so well that Stride tutors even teach them to students when they’re feeling stressed.
- “Incorporating mindfulness techniques such as meditation or deep breathing exercises can help calm the mind and reduce stress.” – Angelica A., High School Math Tutor
- “As a yoga teacher, I coach students through box breathing to help ground themselves when they’re anxious.” – Taylor L., Middle School Math Tutor
- “Taking brain breaks and water breaks when needed can help students remain focused and attentive.” – Laura P., Middle School Foreign Language Tutor
Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
Looking at all your tasks piled up can be daunting. Put it into perspective by looking at each task individually and what it entails. Here’s what the Stride tutors suggest:
- “Get started early and work in small chunks! Big projects are overwhelming and can cause so much stress and anxiety. It’s best if the task can be broken into smaller, manageable amounts.” – Laura E., Middle School Math Tutor
- “I recommend that students take a step back when they are academically stressed and break down their workload into more manageable pieces. For instance, if you have a big project coming up, break it down into sections so you will feel accomplished after you finish them. Sometimes, having smaller chunks of work can make things less stressful and cause less anxiety.” – Rebecca C., High School Science Tutor
Reach out for support.
You don’t have to go at it alone! Seek support and guidance from school counselors, friends, family, teachers, or tutors when you need it.
- “Discussing their academic stress and anxiety with parents and teachers will allow students to feel supported and have the tools to achieve mastery of the material.” – Emily P., Middle School Science Tutor
- “Regular tutoring sessions can be helpful, so they stay up to date on the material they are learning in class and get outside-of-class support on it. Sometimes I know that the student has a good grasp on the material but is still feeling stressed about how they will perform on an assessment, so I might give a little pep talk and give them test taking strategies to help them focus on what they do know and move through the material.” – Amanda L., High School Math Tutor
Prioritize sleep and self-care.
It can be tempting to stay up late some nights, but a good night’s rest is so important. In fact, it can affect our memory, mood, and overall health! Getting plenty of sleep and practicing self-care are crucial for managing stress and can contribute to better academic outcomes.
- “Manage stress and anxiety by ensuring you are getting enough sleep. Staying up too late to do work and not getting enough sleep is more detrimental in the long run.” – Laura P., Middle School Foreign Language Tutor
- “Prioritize self-care practices like consistent exercise and enough sleep, both very important to maintain a balanced lifestyle.” – Gabe J., High School Foreign Languages Tutor
- “Don’t stay up too late! Get at least 8 hours of sleep before getting up for school the next morning; lack of sleep and the lag creates unnecessary stress and anxiety.” – Reynaldo M., Middle School Math Tutor
Managing your academic workload and the stress that can come along with it is a process. Start with step one and create a schedule that makes your tasks more manageable. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and seek professional tutoring services if necessary. Most importantly, stay positive and know that your stress is only temporary, and you have what it takes to succeed!
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