Student Health Services

• Create a weekly schedule: Break your week up into smaller parts to make it less intimidating. Schedule in time for school work, relaxation, exercise, and time with friends.
  • Weekly Schedule : This worksheet will help you break down your week day by day.
• Use a "to-do" list: Start your day by creating a to-do list of all the things you want to accomplish. Divide this list up into two categories: Priorities and Can Wait Until Tomorrow. Focus on the priorities and then move to the items that can wait.
• Cross it off: Keep your to-do list in view and cross off the tasks as you finish them. It is a great feeling to see your list with all of the items crossed off!

Is procrastination your middle name?

Try these tips to beat procrastination:

• Break large tasks, like research papers & studying for finals, into smaller, more manageable tasks.
• Work on difficult or unpleasant tasks first. This will get them out of the way.
• Do your work at the times you work the best. You will get more accomplished with your full attention to the task.
• Unplug the internet and turn off your cell phone. You will get more work done if you are not taking breaks to check your friends' Facebook status or texting your friends.
• Set goals to read a specific amount of pages, do a specific number of problems, or write a specific number of pages during your study sessions. When you meet your goal, reward yourself with a much needed break.

Time Management tips from Mindtools.com

• Make time in your schedule to relax each day. Taking a break from your busy schedule will keep you refreshed and focused.
• Find an activity you enjoy for relaxation. It could be reading for pleasure, taking a walk, spending time outside, or catching up with friends.

Suggested Relaxation Activities

• Breathing Relaxation Exercise: Four minute video to walk you through a deep breathing exercise.
• Mindful.org: read about and experience meditation
• Quick Relaxation Techniques : Five quick relaxation techniques you can do anywhere.
• WCU Center For Contemplative Studies: try out a free meditation or yoga session

Sleep

• Get 7-8 hours of sleep each night to recharge your body and immune system.
• Start a schedule for sleeping and waking. Aim to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
• Avoid caffeine and large meals before bed time. Both will give you trouble falling asleep.
• Use your bed for sleep and sex only.
• Avoid overstimulating your brain before going to sleep. Read a book in bed instead of watching the TV or surfing the internet.

Exercise

• Not only does exercise give you a break from the hard work that you are doing, it also releases endorphins. Endorphins help you feel happy and relaxed.
• Aim to exercise for 30 minutes most days of the week.
• Not into the gym? Try some of these ways to get moving:
  • Jog or walk to South Campus and back
  • Walk to all of your classes instead of taking the bus
  • Get your friends together to play a sport
  • Join an intramural team

Nutrition

• Eat 3 meals a day. Eating breakfast in the morning will increase your concentration and problem solving abilities. This will make it easier for you to understand what your professor is talking about in class.
• Healthier Restaurant Choices for Students
• Energizing Exam Time Snacks

On-Campus Stress Management Resources

• WCU Counseling and Psychological Services
  Lawrence Hall, 2nd Floor
  610-436-2301
  Individual and Group Counseling

• Office of Wellness Promotion
  Commonwealth Hall, Ground Floor
  610-436-0732
  Stressbuster kit, Stressbusters Events, and Conversations about stress management

Online Stress Management Resources

• Stress Recess: Stress management and reduction from the University of Texas
• ULifeline: Anonymous, confidential, online resource center regarding emotional health
• Half of Us: Help with feeling stressed