stress – Beth's Corner

At the beginning of my degree, I was told that my time in university would go faster than I had expected or wanted and I thought they were wrong. However, they were not wrong and the past 3 years flew by and my dissertation came and went but it was the most stressful experience ever. It’s not the most fun experience I have ever had but I definitely discovered a few things to make the time more bearable. So, here are ___ ways to survive your dissertation.

#1: Take 1 or 2 days off a week from your dissertation. You’re allowed a break and it’ll help you to refresh and prepare yourself for more work and research.

#2: Dieting isn’t going to happen whilst writing your dissertation and if you’re able to, I want to give you a medal because I couldn’t do it at all. I found having snacks near me helped me to stay more motivated and the more words I would write the more snacks I deserved.

#3: Sleep is important and I will constantly say this regardless of the activity. You’re going to get stressed and it’ll be exhausting, with that you’ll need a decent night’s sleep and a casual nap.

#4: Don’t ever forget to shower.

#5: Changing locations from your usual place may help you to think differently when it comes to writing. Often I wrote mine in my bedroom but I loved going to the library as I found myself more motivated and I wrote differently.

#6: Do something to help you relax, whether it’s to read a book, watch a film or hang out with your friends. You need to be doing different things other than writing your dissertation all the time.

#7: Create a timetable. You’re going to have other assignments to write alongside your dissertation, I found it was the best way to organise myself. I liked to plan for a month and would give myself time to dedicate days to other assignments and other things which were not education-related.

#8: Starting writing early!! I began my dissertation during the summer because I had a lot of free time and I was able to dedicate my time to my literature review and methodology. By the time you go back to university you’ll be well on track and you’ll be able to dedicate more time to making your changes and beginning your research.

I wish you all the best of luck for your upcoming dissertation and I want to remind you that you’ll be incredibly thankful for when it’s complete.

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With love, Beth x

I’m going to admit it, I struggle with stress massively, so much so that it usually results in a severe panic attack. It’s not fun, it’s difficult to live with and it causes so many issues for me to do things during my life. Anxiety is generally the biggest problem I have and have been experiencing since the beginning of the year.

Each morning I wake up wondering how difficult the day is going to be and its a battle. But it doesn’t have to be. There are lots of ways that people can do to help reduce stress and challenge themselves during stressful times. These are the 5 ways I reduce and prevent symptoms of anxiety and stress.

One: write everything down. This may seem obvious but it works, I write down my daily to-do lists as well as any feelings I experience throughout the day. I write down any anxieties I have and then write next to it whether I can help the situation or if I’m over thinking it and let the situation go it’s own way. I find this so helpful as I become more aware of what I’m in control of and realise that I’m not in control of everything and it helps to settle my nerves.

Two: Stop whatever you’re doing and breathe. Take a deep breath, count to 10 and continue to do so until you feel better. Remember that your feelings aren’t permanent and they will ease. Nothing is set in stone. I find that panic attacks start when I forget to breathe, so I stop for a moment take a deep breath and count to 10 and do so until I feel my anxieties settle.

Three: Build a solid support system with friends and family. Make those people supportive, easy to talk to and understanding. They should be people you trust to not judge and keep your personal life to themselves. These people should be those who you can rant to whenever you need to discuss your feelings and any issues you have. Expressing your feelings is the best way to allow yourself to understand how you feel.

Four: Allow yourself a little play time during your day. Read a book, watch a film or listen to music. Allow yourself some time to do your favourite pass time that allows you to relax. It’s okay to take a break and enjoy your life beyond work, school or university. Give yourself some time to enjoy the life you’re given and remember to relax from those activities that make you most stressed.

Five: Believe in yourself. You are able to relax and feel normal, you’re able to achieve greatness. Just give yourself some credit. Everybody struggles sometimes and it’s okay. Everybody has something that they find difficult. Follow your heart, talk to your family and friends and embrace the stress. See it as a challenge rather than a problem.

These are my 5 ways that I reduce and prevent any anxious feelings and stress that may be overwhelming.

With love, Beth x