Managing Stress While Studying Abroad

Managing Stress While Studying Abroad – After going through a tedious application procedure, comes the prospect and also the stress of living in a new country. Everything is new and strange, the weather, the people, the food, the education system, followed by the pressure of maintaining good grades.

Managing stress when you are far away from your family, friends, and everything familiar becomes essential. Ms. Kunjal Sakhrani in this episode talks about certain tips to handle pressure and how to cope up with stress.

Plan and be organized: The best thing that you can do to keep stress at a manageable level is to be organized. Plan things in advance and set a timetable. You can make a list of activities that need to be done so that you are sure that you don’t miss out on anything that is important. It may seem very difficult at the beginning, but you will get used to it and will be able to manage everything effectively.

Find time for extracurricular activities: Universities campuses offer an enormous range of activities like sports, book clubs, debating societies, theatre groups, etc. Find an activity that interests you and participate in it. This will help you deal with loneliness, boredom, and depression.

Explore the local area: Wherever you are in the world, there will be lots of places to explore. Try combining sightseeing with a little bit of exercising by going on a hike or a bike ride. This will help in clearing your mind and will ensure that you work productively.

Make time to rest: While studying and indulging in an extracurricular activity are both important, remember that your body also needs rest. Invest in a comfortable pillow and a pair of earplugs to ensure you sleep properly. Your body will thank you.

Stay in touch, but not too much: Although it is important to make new friends it is also equally important to keep in touch with old ones and also your family. You can talk over the phone, text, chat over the internet or speak on a video call. Try and schedule a weekly chat or call, so that you have that to look forward to during the week.

While it is possible that many students are able to cope up with the pressure of studying abroad by following these tips, there may be many who still struggle. Even after trying out various techniques, you feel you cannot cope up, reach out to the International Students Office at your university. They will put you through to a professional counselor who will surely help you out.