In the first week of my last semester I had a math tutorial, everything our TA said felt like gibberish and I was really second guessing if this was the class for me. Turns out, I wasn’t the only one thinking that and in the elevator after class we all shared our names and phone numbers for a study group. Studying in a group has been proven to reduce stress in several ways, but I’ve found the most beneficial aspects have been for accountability, learning support, and knowing I’m not alone. For more on creating a successful study group click here.
Although I love studying neuroscience, there is a whole pile of topics I don’t get remotely close to studying such as fine arts or foreign languages, so I started using small breaks between my studying, or even just when I had some extra time, to learn about those things without the pressure of getting a grade for it. Resources like workbooks, YouTube videos, and Coursera have been super fun ways to explore some of my passions like European architecture and Hangul.
At first, I was a bit skeptical about talking to someone over a call about how overwhelmed I felt, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. After moving out of province I just wasn’t ready to change counsellors and online counselling has accommodated that change and given me a space to talk openly about the stress that builds up from juggling school, work, and life in general. It’s not about having a crisis; it’s about having someone to help untangle your thoughts and process what you’re going through. I usually log in from my dorm room, wearing my pjs, and sometimes I even have a snack, but I always leave the session feeling a little lighter and a lot more grounded.
There’s something about being in a fresh space that helps me reset. Some weeks I rotate between my university library, a downtown café with big windows, or even a spot in the dining hall. Changing locations helps me associate each spot with focus and calm, and I weirdly feel more put-together just by being out in the world, like I need to be that mysterious stranger in a cafe. Plus, it makes studying feel less like a chore and more like a quiet adventure with good coffee… or a really good bagel.
Before I started using calendar apps and Notion, everything lived in my brain or a planner that I totally remembered to use after the first week… and it was chaos. Now, I keep track of deadlines, study schedules, and even workout planning all in one place. It’s weirdly satisfying to drag and drop tasks or check off boxes, and it helps my mind feel a little less cluttered. When my schedule is clear, my stress is cut in half, and I actually feel more in control of my week instead of constantly scrambling to keep up. I love getting to see what assignments I can start a little early too.
This one feels small, but it’s powerful. Having a go-to snack (hello, sourdough toast and frozen grapes) and an iced coffee I made myself makes study sessions more bearable and sometimes even enjoyable. Taking a snack break gives me something to look forward to, and making a little ritual out of brewing coffee helps signal to my brain that it’s time to focus.
