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Life > Academics

Stress-free Studying: Managing a Stressful Schedule as a College Student

Molly Patel
The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at TAMU chapter.

I grew up my entire life with adults around me saying that college is one of the best times of your life. That might be true, but it honestly feels like one of the most stressful times. College is a time of discovering who you are, learning about your interests and passions, balancing school, work, a social life, and finances… all before our brains are fully developed! Stress seems to be a normal part of life as a college student, and I want to share some of my habits that help make it a little easier to manage :) 

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1. Exercise

This does not have to be a crazy power lifting session in the gym, but setting aside even 30-45 minutes a day for some sort of movement is great for handling stress. I try to lift 3-4 times a week on my less stressful days and jog twice a week on my busier days. If my days are so busy I cannot even take time for the gym, I make sure to get 10,000 steps that day. Some sort of movement and activity is better than none. :) 

Feelings of stress can often lead to overwhelming anxiety, which can lead to tension and anger. It can also negatively impact your physical health, which is why taking care of your body is so important. Exercise is known to reduce the negative effects of stress! It produces endorphins, which are neurotransmitters that stabilize mood and can help reduce anxiety levels. 

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2. Setting aside Time for your hobbies

In my case, I take Friday afternoons off to nap and get takeout from any local restaurants around the Bryan/College Station areas. I think that exploring local places in your neighborhood is such a fun activity, and this set time gives me the chance to do that without breaking the bank! Most importantly, it gives me something to look forward to every week, especially when things can get super overwhelming.

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3. Meditation/practicing mindfulness

I know it sounds cheesy, but practicing mindfulness and meditating are so important for living in the present. When you’re stressed, it is so easy to get overwhelmed or lost in your work. I found that journaling or trying some new meditative activity is so good for relaxing, even if it is just for 30 minutes a day. In my experience, this practice has helped me stay in the moment and enjoy what I have, rather than stressing about the future. It also helps clear my mind and stay calm throughout my busy seasons.

Molly Patel

TAMU '26

As a new member to Her Campus at TAMU, Molly is excited to contribute her writings and creative expertise to the team! Her role's responsibilities includes both writing and promoting articles for Her Campus. Beyond Her Campus, Molly is part of the Student Council for Arts and Sciences and the University Honors Program at Texas A&M. She has previous experience in digital marketing, where she was able to stretch her creative boundaries to boost engagement for a small business on various social media platforms, including Instagram, Linkedin, Tiktok, and Facebook. She is currently a sophomore psychology major and hopes to attend law school or graduate school after undergrad. When she’s not writing for Her Campus, Molly enjoys watercoloring, reading thrillers, exploring new coffee shops, thrifting with friends, and going on evening runs through campus. She is always in the kitchen, either cooking or baking for the people she cares about the most.