Top tips to stay calm when under academic pressure

As we reach the end of Autumn term it is easy feel overwhelmed with formative and summative deadlines, and the upcoming January exams. Here are some useful study tips to stay on top of your workloads and handle study pressure at LSE

Plan your Time 

This may seem obvious but it can be hard managing your time with competing deadlines and priorities

• Prioritise deadlines: avoid last-minute all-nighters by ensuring you know when your due dates are and what you're working towards
• Schedule in relaxation time: this is crucial for staying productive
• There are lots of useful apps you can check out to help with this, or maybe explore how AI could help...

Stay Motivated

Sometimes it is easy to lose motivation when your workload increases or you get a grade back that you aren't pleased with. It is important to keep going - hard work will pay off!

• Break tasks down into small goals: this will make big pieces of work and revision seem more manageable and less intimidating
• Reward yourself: Make sure you are making time to do the things you enjoy, and treat yourself for the hard work you have been putting in…you deserve it!

Give yourself time off

Be kind to yourself and make sure you're still engaging with clubs, societies and friends that you're involved in. Regular breaks ensure you stay productive and positive! 

• Its important to give yourself regular breaks when studying: go for a walk, get a snack or chat to friends
• Have longer breaks too: make sure you give yourself regular afternoons or days off to completely unwind from studying. It's useful to come back to things with a fresh mind!
• Remember to reach out to friends and make sure they are coping with academic stress

Prioritise your wellbeing 

Your wellbeing is the most important thing, so make sure you're looking after your mental and physical health during stressful periods

• Get outside: it can be extremely easy to become stuck to your desk during busy periods, so make sure you get outside for a walk, run or cycle
• Eating healthy: ensure you're eating well and staying fuelled for long study sessions
• Exercise: exercise is really important for both physical and mental wellbeing. Doing something like yoga every week can be really good for practicing mindfulness and meditation that is really effective in reducing stress. Check out Halls Life for regular yoga sessions in Halls on a Sunday!

Support Networks 

There is lots of support available at LSE to help with academic stress. Make sure you reach out when you need some support as there will always be someone that can help 

• Study with friends: create a study group with your peers and share revision resources and tips
• Make use of office hours: reach out and get feedback from your teachers and lecturers when you are confused or could do with some extra support in a module
• Seek help: If you're struggling, make sure to reach out to the Wellbeing Team or Peer Supporters who can give you further advice on managing your stress, or LSE Life who can help you create a plan to stay on top of your studies