
Here are seven ways to prevent stress as a Uni of York student this autumn
Trying to not drown in stress first semester is a universal student experience
We’re all finally entering that part of the year. After a very much eventful Freshers’ Week and intro lectures, the beginning of the hectic October schedule returns. Lectures start to creep in, deadlines, and the seemingly hundreds of pages of readings. The drastic change can be dreadful, making you feel overwhelmed and stressed.
It definitely isn’t helping that the cold air is beginning to creep in, making a vast majority of us want to curl up in bed and forget all about our busy schedules. But fear not, there are ways to cope with the winter blues – essential if you want to stay sane in any way.
1. Study in different spots
Studying in the library may help with you being productive and focused, but a change of scenery wouldn’t hurt. Especially in the University of York, there are so many cafes and study spots to choose from depending on your mood. Fancy some great food and drinks? The Courtyard is your best friend. There’s also The Kitchen in Alcuin where they have the nicest interior and vibe, helping you feel more productive whilst surrounded by other working students. Trying out different spots can help bring something new and lessen the feeling of constant repetitiveness with uni work.
Working besides having a little sweet treat is the perfect way to manage your work load.
2. Romanticise uni life
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I think we’ve all chucked our headphones on, played our favourite artist (cough cough Olivia Dean), and pretended we were the main character in a coming-of-age film. With the never-ending stress, it may feel like the world is constantly moving and impossible to catch up on. This being said, it’s important to prioritise yourself and view you as the main character of your own story.
Always wanted to learn how to do boxing? Try that society. Been wanting to eat at that restaurant but none of your friends are free? Just go for it. Doing things that you would want the main character of a movie to do themselves is a way of self-care. At uni the opportunities are endless and you’re bound to meet like-minded people who want to do similar side quests. And while it could seem difficult during a period of stress, it will all feel worth it after exams.
3. Coordinate dates with friends
Ever feel like you’re in a constant repeat of just studying, lectures, and sleep? The likelihood of your friends also feeling in this loop is high, so its always important to plan a little date night with your friends to catch up and destress. Whether it be going out for another chaotic Sunday Revs or staying in and cooking dinner together, the support of your friends will benefit all of you and make the hardships of the week a little less harder. Remember, your work and life balance can make or break how successful your week is.
My personal go to plan: Link your Google Calendar schedules, allocate the times you best prefer, and try doing the same time every week. It may be difficult to coordinate times, especially if everyone has different schedules, but nothing will beat stress better than that night out with your number ones.
4. Walk around campus
Having the the wind blow through your hair while seeing the ducks at the lake is definitely one of the best ways to feel calmer after a long day of stress. I know, I know, York does have a tendency to have unpredictable weather. One second it’s bright and sunny and then you’re hearing raindrops blaring from the sky. Despite this, having a little walk regardless of the weather will help you escape that bubble of stress.
So just try, even once, to walk around campus and enjoy the fresh air (maybe bring an umbrella though!)
5. Go out to the theater and watch a film
When the real world starts getting a bit too stressful, escaping through the world of film is a classic way to destress. Whether you bring a friend or go solo, watching a film that you’ve been wanting to see is a great way of self care. In the dark theater, your only focus consists on the screen in front of you while munching on a handful of popcorn. No phones or emails. No stress. After this, you’ll definitely feel more refreshed compared to two hours ago. My personal tip: Try going on your own for once. Who doesn’t love an independent, confident, self-loving gal?
6. Try out a new restaurant
Now, I’m well aware that we’re all on a student budget and that our diet mostly consists of penne pasta and pesto from Lidl. But sometimes, you just have to remember to treat yourself to some of the joys in life and eat some good food. York has a variety of quaint cafes and restaurants to explore. Trying out a new restaurant with your friends is an absolute 10/10 and can always bring one’s spirits up. So go out, dress up, and order one too many drinks simply because you deserve it.
7. Clean your room
People do say that your environment determines the mental state that you’re in. Your room is your safe haven – it is a space where you can relax and rewind after a long day hunched over a laptop working last minute on an essay. This makes it even more important to give it a deep clean and maybe rearrange your decorations. Not only will having a clean stress clear your mind, but the process of cleaning can also be relaxing once you put your headphones on and get in the zone.
While it could be tiring to start, you definitely won’t regret the result. Remember, a tidy space equals a tidy mind.