At the beginning of the university year, it’s easy to think your deadlines are ages away. You have plenty of time to get everything done. However, as the weeks roll by and nights out take center stage, those pesky deadlines loom ever closer, and panic can start to set in. Every student has been there. Deadlines are stressful; there’s no denying that, but they don’t have to be. The secret is to find realistic ways to stay in control when you feel under pressure. If you’re feeling the deadline stress, this guide is here to help.
Break It Down
Looking at all your deadlines and assignments together is a recipe for disaster. Instead of seeing everything as one huge task, break each assignment down into smaller, more manageable chunks. For example, if you’ve got a 5,000 word essay due, don’t focus on how much you need to write. Instead, split it up into smaller tasks. For example, research, the outline, write the introduction, write the first section, and so on. When you do this, you’ll get a sense of achievement as you complete each stage, which will spur you on to keep going and reduce stress. If you are writing a dissertation or thesis, it’s also a good idea at this stage to arrange professional printing and binding from places like BachelorPrint, as sorting this out early on can stop you feeling stressed out closer to deadline day.
Ease Yourself In
When the work you have to do feels daunting, getting started can be the most difficult part. That’s why it’s a good idea to ease yourself into your project with something simple first. A bit like breaking it down, this can give you the momentum you need to carry on. Something as straightforward as writing your headings, formatting your document, organizing your research, or writing a rough first draft of a few paragraphs is all it takes to make the task feel more manageable.
Block Out Your Time
Time management can help you reduce stress and manage your deadlines more efficiently. You might think spending a full day on one task is productive, but it’s one surefire way to end up with burnout. Blocking out your time is much more effective and means you stand a better chance of staying focused. Spend a couple of hours in the morning on one task, take a break and grab some food or go for a walk, and then spend a couple of hours in the afternoon on another. When blocking out your time, it’s important to make space for proper rest, hobbies, and friends, as they can help take your mind off things and leave you feeling more energized when you get back to your desk.
Don’t Compare Yourself To Others
It’s often said that comparison is the thief of joy. This applies to your studies, too. You’ll always have peers who say they’ve finished weeks ago and others who say they haven’t started yet. In order to keep your stress at a minimum, it’s best not to compare yourself to others. Everyone works in different ways, so stay focused on yourself without distractions that will not help you get the work done.
Deadline stress is an inevitable part of being a student, but it can be managed when you take the right approach. Armed with the above tips, you should be able to meet your deadlines and keep overwhelming stress at bay.
