Staying Steady When Stress Hits: Senior Edition
- Ashley Sawh
- 9 minutes ago
- 2 min read
By: Ashley Sawh
December is known for its chilly mornings, Christmas drinks, and the countdown to the holidays. However, for seniors, it also marks down one of the most stressful times of the year. College deadlines, first-quarter grades, activities, and essays can make this month feel like a marathon with no finish line in sight. This month can feel overwhelming, but stress doesn’t have to take over. Here are realistic and practical ways seniors are managing chronic stress.
First, break up large tasks. Large assignments and applications can feel impossible when looking at them. Being able to break everything into small chunks helps your brain stay focused without burning it out.
Next, make a priority list, sticking to three must-do tasks for each week. This reduces decision overload and helps to make sure that deadlines are met.
Third, talk to someone about your stress when you feel like it’s getting out of hand. Even a quick conversation can help to clear your head before heading back to work.
Next, separate school from the rest of your life. Setting time aside for important out of school activities helps to decrease stress. Every once in a while, use the weekends for fun, family, or rest. This helps to recharge and avoid burnout.
Don’t sacrifice sleep. Sleep boosts memory, improves concentration and decision-making, and helps to reduce stress and anxiety. Aim to get a good amount of sleep each night, and your brain will thank you.
Reminder: everything doesn’t need to be perfect and figured out when you’re a senior. Seniors always feel like they must have their entire lives planned out. However, that rarely works. Paths change and many opportunities open in unexpected ways.
December is stressful, and so is the rest of the road to acceptance day, but the busy season does not last forever. Seniors are often stronger than they realize. As deadlines approach, take care of your mind, celebrate every win, and focus on what truly matters to you.
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