Don’t sweat the small stuff

“This year I am going to get organised, have a plan and not leave all my assignments until the last minute.”

How many times have you said this to yourself? Chances are you have uttered these famous last words in week one of every semester.

Despite our best intentions, somehow week ten always seems to crop up much faster than we expected and all of a sudden words like ‘stress,’ ‘exams,’ and ‘assignment due dates,’ are being thrown around.

The good news is that there is still plenty of time for you to up your game and get back on top of that ever growing workload. By following a few simple tips you’ll be surprised how a few little changes over the coming weeks will set you straight on the road to success.

Dust off that diary you invested in during week one and start planning the time you have left. First year students can find it particularly difficult to make the transition from school to college life.

Making the jump from a school environment with so many rules and a rigid structure where constant tabs are being kept on you can be tough. All of a sudden you’re experiencing college life full of independence, the temptation of constant partying and a more relaxed timetable of classes.

It is so easy to fall behind with your studies and end up cramming, struggling to keep up and pulling the dreaded all-nighters.

Balance is the key. As long as you manage your time correctly and realise that it is your responsibility to get your work done on time, there is still plenty of time to have fun and relax.

Get organised and don’t make things any harder for yourself. You know that desk you have in your bedroom? Try putting all your notes, books and your laptop on it and you’ve made a great start already. You need to have a study space, somewhere you can focus without distractions.

If you have noisy housemates or an annoying little sister, perhaps the library might be a better option.

Either way, you need to find somewhere you can concentrate because lets not lie, the majority of us cannot work productively while simultaneously watching the XFactor or chatting on Facebook.

Make a timetable and stick to it. Make a list of what needs to be done (including that obligatory night out) and tick things off as you go along. It’s extremely satisfying and will help you stay motivated to keep going.

By following a timetable you will be better able to manage your time and stay on top of things. You will avoid stressing yourself out unnecessarily and have the satisfaction of getting work done.

Take regular breaks from studying. Getting involved in college activities and having a hobby are excellent ways to relieve stress. Whether it’s walking the dog, playing a sport or meeting up with friends, it can all help.

Keep your eye on the bigger picture and don’t forget to look after yourself. It is important to get enough sleep. Ideally eight hours is recommended and although that might sound slightly ambitious, you can only get away with burning the candle at both ends for a certain amount of time before it is bound to catch up with you.

Give yourself that extra boost by ditching the fast food for a while and stock up on high-protein food full of energy. Eat right and don’t underestimate the power of a healthy meal.

Stress affects most of us at some stage during the year to different degrees. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if it all gets too much to handle. By just talking to somebody about your problems or seeking another opinion, things rarely seem as bad as first predicted. The Counselling and Personal Development Service is available free of charge to all students here in DCU. All of the counsellors are experienced therapists/psychologists who are trained to help students overcome personal issues. The Service is located in the Henry Grattan, on the ground floor opposite the Student Advice Centre.

Niteline is also available to students from DCU, Trinity, UCD, Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland and the National College of Art and Design. It is a free and confidential listening service run by students for students. No problem is too big or too small so if you feel the need, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call 1800793793.

Also, don’t forget to check out pleasetalk.ie for a full list of support services that are available to students across Ireland. After all as the saying goes, a problem shared is a problem halved.