By Alyssa Daniels, Peer Research Ambassador

College is wonderful! It is a place where students can grow, learn more about themselves, and pave their way to success. However, college life can be extremely stressful due to the amount of pressure placed on students today.

Sometimes it feels as though there is so much to get done in such a short amount of time. I personally felt completely overwhelmed when I started college. Classes, research, organizations, clubs, sports teams – there were so many things to do! UConn has so much to offer, but it can be easy to overdo it. This can leave students stressed as they try to manage crazy schedules while still maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a social life.

So, what should you do when you’re feeling overwhelmed or like you have worked all day yet have accomplished nothing? Here’s my take.

Set Realistic Goals

If setting unreasonable expectations for yourself was an Olympic sport, I would take the gold, and I think a lot of people can relate. As nice as it would be to get to all your classes, write essays and applications, complete labs and homework assignments, study for exams, get to the gym, and still have time for dinner with friends and be in bed by 10 pm, it’s not realistic! Every night I make a list of everything that needs to happen the next day, estimate how much time that activity will take, and then fit all my activities into my day around classes like a puzzle. I then add in my meal and workout times. The key for me here is to look at my schedule and make sure I’m not overdoing it. Sometimes, it’s easier to see if there’s an issue when I write it down on paper. Mapping my day out the night before causes me to stress less in the morning. Note that things come up, and sometimes my schedule does not go as planned, but it is always nice to have a starting point for the day.

Recognize That Social Media Is NOT Real

I see so many videos online about productivity, morning routines, a “day in the life”, etc. Most of the time, these are not realistic expectations to set for yourself. As lovely as it would be to get up every morning at 5:30 am to workout, make an overly healthy breakfast, meditate, journal, complete a full skincare and makeup routine, and stare out the window holding a cup of coffee as if I were in a music video, it’s not going to happen. And that’s okay! Most mornings, I hit the snooze button several times, realize I’m late, prance around my room to track down some clean sweatpants, and shove a waffle in my bag. So, if that’s something you resonate with, you’re not alone. Sleeping in sometimes makes me happy. Not being a “morning person” doesn’t make you unproductive, it simply makes you human. Ultimately, try not to compare yourself to other people, especially online, because online, you’re seeing the best aspects of that person’s day. It’s not real!

Accept the “off” Days and Be Kind to Yourself

No one can be 100% productive 100% of the time. It’s not possible. There are days when I am super productive for long periods of time, and there are days where I’m just out of it. Everyone has days where they don’t get as much done as they would like. When this happens to me, I like to reevaluate my schedule and condense it as much as possible for the day. I also like to ensure I’m taking some time for myself. That could mean a shower and a face mask, a Netflix episode, or just going to bed early. It’s important to be kind to yourself, especially on your off days.

Find Ways to Relax

Try to find a way to relax every day. Here are some ideas:

• Take a walk – there are so many scenic routes on campus!
• Visit a dining hall you don’t go to very often
• Meditate – there are so many free meditation videos to help you relax on YouTube
• Hang out with friends
• Read a book for fun
• Go to CVS downtown and make yourself a care package – face mask, hair mask, lip balm, coloring book, favorite snacks, etc.
• Order takeout and chill in your room for some alone time
• Go rock climbing or swimming at the Rec Center
• Get some ice cream at the Dairy Bar
• Call someone you haven’t talked to in awhile
• Explore the Student Union

Take care of yourself this semester, Huskies!

Alyssa is a senior majoring in Physiology & Neurobiology and minoring in Molecular & Cell Biology and Psychological Sciences. Click here to learn more about Alyssa.

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