Adult Students and Holiday Stress
Working your way through the holiday hustle
If you are concerned about keeping your academic momentum through the holiday season, there are ways to do it without suffering the effects of too much stress!
Now that the turkey has been eaten, the family has been enjoyed or endured, travelling is over and the next workweek is looming, reality sets in and the race is on! There are only several weeks left between now and the end of the year, which may also mean that the end of the college term is coming and the workload for you is daunting. Most adult students take their studies extremely seriously, and are willing to move them to the top of the priority pile over other life requirements. There is no shortage of stress during the holiday time, but there are several ways to cope with the challenges in meeting your academic goals this semester. Just be assured you’re not alone, do your best to cope, and remember that it will be fine in the long run. Continuing education is just that - continuing!
Here are a few ideas for you to try:
Prioritize. This is one way of making your time work for you instead of the other way around. If you have assignments that are upcoming and you know it, make sure to set aside time in advance to complete them. Fortunately the crunch to complete the term is only temporary. Many times we wait to do our academics last, often letting other things take priority. As a result, we end up trying to rush, which ultimately costs us more in time and quality.
Time Management. Take a look at when assignments are due and how they fit into your mandatory day-to-day schedule of work and family. This helps avoid that last-minute panic you experience when you realize you have an assignment or paper due tomorrow that you didn’t know about. If you can estimate how much time you need to complete an assignment you can be thinking ahead of ways to get it completed in time. If you’re a morning person, for instance, try and set aside some of that time to work – you’ll get more accomplished in a shorter amount of time when you’re fresh and ready to mentally perform. Remember – you are only human, and there are only so many hours in a day.
Maintain your routine as much as possible. Nothing is more stressful than suddenly having your daily agenda thrown out the window…you’re constantly striving to get back on track. Keeping some semblance of a routine represents order in our lives, and this can be very beneficial and reassuring when things begin to get crazy.
Communicate. Many of your professors have been in your shoes, and are often very helpful and understanding during this time. Don’t be afraid to approach them for help or guidance, and do so as soon as you feel you’re struggling. You may be surprised at how accommodating they can be. After all, most have done this for a long time, and are familiar with what you’re going through. Also, talk to other students in your situation, they may be able to lend support.as much as possible.
Most importantly, recognize when you are hitting your limit and relax! Put your work aside for a while, take a walk, meditate, exercise, anything to refresh your body and mind so that you can return to it with a fresh perspective and vigor. Check here for ideas on how to cope with holiday stress in general. Remember, just do the best you can and you’ll be fine. It also helps to keep in mind that the road to your degree is not infinite: this situation is temporary, and the prize is your education!
Contact me if you have questions, comments, or would like to share your experiences with this topic. Good luck in the upcoming weeks!
