Feeling stressed about your personal assessments and coursework? Here are some ways to manage how you feel…
A big part of school, college, university and apprenticeships is personal assessments and coursework. This is work that you’re assigned to complete for your education and qualifications, whether it’s exam revision, essays, projects or presentations.
It can be stressful when you have a lot on your plate, so here are 5 things you can do to manage that stress.
Stay on top of your workload
This is something that you need to keep in mind all the time. It can be very easy to put something off and think “I’ll do it later”, but it can very quickly turn into having lots of work to do at once and even some tasks being overdue.
One of the best ways to minimise coursework stress is to plan how much time you’ll spend on something and when, so that your time and tasks are organised. Time blocking is a useful technique that could help!
If you’re at the point where you’re feeling overwhelmed because you have lots to do or you’re behind on your work, talk to your tutor/mentor to see how they can help. They might be able to give you some advice about the task or extend your submission date. They want to see you succeed and they’ll do the best they can to help you get things back on track.
Prioritise and plan
Take some time each week, or each day, to look at all of your tasks and think about what is most important. Prioritise the most important tasks and be realistic about the amount of work you are setting yourself. You might need to break down big tasks into small, manageable ones that you can do over the week to get it done.
You may find it useful to create a schedule. It’s a great way to visualise your tasks by seeing where you can work on them little and often, without cramming big tasks into tiring blocks of work with no breaks.
Clear things up
One key thing that makes people stressed about their coursework and personal assessments is that they get stuck at the first hurdle: understanding the task and what is expected of them. If you don’t understand the task or you’re not sure where to start, ask for help.
Find a friend or a tutor/mentor who can help and ask any questions you have to break down those barriers.
Take time away
Looking after yourself is your top priority! While some stress can be good for your motivation, stress that starts to affect you negatively and overwhelms you is not.
Make sure you take time away from work/education to relax, unwind and take your mind off of your assignments. This could mean having a relaxing routine in the evening, spending time with friends, and using your weekends for personal time. It could even mean taking regular 15 minute breaks away from your coursework to get some fresh air.
It’s ok to want to work on your assignments in the evening or on weekends, and that might be the best time you have to do them, but remember that you need a work/life balance. Make sure you take time away to focus on yourself.
Take care of yourself
Taking care of yourself will help your resilience to any stress you face. While it won’t get rid of it completely, you’ll feel more confident in yourself and your ability to keep moving forward.
This involves getting the exercise you need in any way you enjoy (walking, running, cycling etc), making sure you’re eating nutritional food and getting enough sleep.
Taking care of yourself includes your mental health. Try exploring mindfulness through free mental health apps or talk to someone you trust if you need to share what you’re going through.
If the stress you feel is taking a toll and you’re struggling to cope, make sure you get the support you need. Contact your GP or a mental health service that has the right (and professional) resources to support you in the best way.
Click the button below and scroll to the bottom of the page to find UK mental health support and helplines.
Mental Health Advice Moer student advice
