Six ways to cope with academic stress

Getting into a premium engineering college is like a dream come true for countless students across the country - it's what they've hoped for and worked towards for most of their nascent lives. And yet, the pressure that comes with such expectations can be crippling for even the best of us. When faced with the pressures of engineering college, we often feel like life is simply out of control -- caught in a whirlwind of deadlines, tutorials and examinations. Four years go by in a blur of sleepless nights and endless cups of coffee. At the same time, many students are away from the comfort and familiarity of their families and friends for the first time. Unfortunately, most of us, when confronted with stressful situations, don't cope in the most effective manner. We often fall into self-destructive patterns wherein we brood, avoid our work, or use substances like cigarettes or coffee to relax ourselves or stay awake through nights on end.

There are, however, some strategies that students can implement to help them cope better with the stress of studies.

1. Accept and confront situations: Rather than avoiding work till it overwhelms us, accept when you're struggling and take steps to deal with the situation immediately. Take the help of a friend or a teacher to overcome your difficulties.

2. Have a positive belief system: We all deal with the same situation differently, based on our differing belief systems. Keep a realistic perspective, giving equal importance to both positives and negatives of any situation. Remember that how we think determines how we feel and respond.

3. Develop a support system: No matter how hard things might get, knowing that we have people there to help can help us get us through the most difficult of situations. Develop a friend circle in college, and share your struggles and your feelings with your friends. Remember that most of them are going through the same difficulties that you are.

4. Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Try to ensure that you get seven hours of sleep every night, don't miss out on meals and get at least half an hour of outdoor physical activity each day. While this might feel like a waste of time during crunch hours, it will help you perform better academically in the long run.

5. Stay away from substances: Coffee, cigarettes and alcohol might seem to be a good respite, but remember that these will neither solve problems nor help in the long run. Stay away from any kind of substances, no matter how difficult things might seem.

6. Be prepared for failures: Success and failures are both a part of life. Don't let any failure weigh you down. Learn from your mistakes and do better next time.

At the same time, there are certain things that educational institutions can also keep in mind to help students cope with the demands of college. It's important to focus on life-skills education such as communication, critical thinking and stress management, rather than simply focusing on technical instruction. At the same time, having readily acceptable counsellors is essential.