Managing Student Stress: How to Turn a Bad Day Around

Sometimes you have to blow off some steam.

Well today has sucked so far, hasn’t it?

You slept through your alarm (even though you’ll tell people it didn’t go off), you were 20 minutes late for class, and you forgot your bank card on your desk so you’re buying lunch with quarters.

A student’s life is full of days like this. It’s the combination of sleep deprivation and schedule inflation.

So is it possible to salvage days like this, or should we write them off and hide under the covers after 6:30 p.m? Of course you can salvage it. We’re not talking about changing a nightmare to a shining moment, but there are things you can do to turn “worst day ever,” into “meh, it wasn’t bad, actually.”

Here are Three Tips on Managing Student Stress

Turn it into a funny story

None of your best anecdotes took place on days that went as planned. Chances are, others can relate to and laugh about what you went through. So meet up with friends and regale them with the greatest story ever told.

Use it as an excuse to indulge

A bad day can be the best excuse for you to do something that’s all about you. Stop off on the way home and grab something sweet, or order a pizza instead of cooking supper.

Have a vent session

Call a friend and tell them you need to blow off some steam. It’s simple, but getting out in a social setting, while getting things off your chest can be a cure-all. If you’re meeting for drinks, don’t vent until last call or you may be setting yourself up for 2 bad days in a row.