How to handle Honours degree stress
OnlyHonours degree students will know just how stressful getting a post-grad can be. Although it’s a worthwhile qualification, it’s not for the faint-hearted. Handling the pressure during your Honours is essential to coming out on top. How can you make sure that stress doesn’t get the better of you? We’re sharing our guide to beating Honours degree woes below.
1) Get enough sleep
The human body needs around eight hours of sleep every night to function optimally every day. If you had to take this into consideration, how many nights a week do you get those eight hours in? The chances aren’t that high. We recommend avoiding technology before bedtime which means no phones, television laptops or social media. Shutting down the mind is an important part of getting the sleep you need. Electronics only keep your mind alert, delaying that trip to dreamland.
2) Eat your way to good results
Many doctors swear by getting your daily vitamin intake from the food that you eat. This makes fresh fruit and vegetables an essential part of keeping you healthy and on top of your game. Superfoods are also a must to keep you alert, as are omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for brain power. Drinking enough water is also important to keep you hydrated, especially during long periods of study.
3) Plan ahead
Getting your Honours often means having to make sacrifices on a social level. As a result, you might have to miss out on important events and celebrations. Plan ahead and do as much work as you can, whenever you can. This will increase your chances of being able to attend events you might otherwise have missed out on. We recommend getting a to-do list app like Wunderlist to help you tick off all of the assignments and modules as you go. By having a calendar in a visible place, you’ll always see it. This will help you remember deadlines before they’re about to elapse.
4) Exercise
Physical fitness is important for ensuring good overall health. This means regular exercise can help you fend off illnesses. As an added bonus, exercise releases endorphins, allowing you to deal with stress more effectively. You’ll also welcome the study breaks when you go for a run and get out of the house.
5) Take time out
Don’t feel guilty for taking a day off. If your schedule allows it, you can meet up with friends or even take a nap. We all need a little time to recharge that battery when we’ve been all systems go. Living a balanced life is the key to succeeding in everything you do, particularly when studies are concerned.
If you’re interested in getting your Honours, why not let the IIE Varsity College guide you through the process? Varsity College is an educational brand of The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE). For more on Honours programmes at The IIE Varsity College, please visit our website here.
