Managing Stress As An Online Student
All college students experience stress, but online school stress comes with its own unique physical and mental wellness challenges. Online students are more likely to feel disengaged from school and lonely, while some also report physical issues such as eye strain and back problems. They also tend to feel more stressed about grades than traditional students.
Nonetheless, the pros outweigh the cons for millions of students. Online college degree programs offer many benefits, especially to working adults. But universities also have increased their focus on the challenges online students face, including mental health and crisis resources that connect students with professional help for stress and other issues.
School Stress and the Online Student
While all students experience stress, online students tend to feel it at higher levels than on-campus students, according to a study from NBC News and Challenge Success. While the study focused on 10,000 high school students, the results seem applicable to all online students.
The study found that online students tend to do more homework, feel more stressed about grades, and have more back strain and eye strain issues than traditional students.
Fortunately, universities offer resources for online students. Touro University Worldwide became an early adopter of online learning because of its capacity to extend the benefits of higher education to more people, including working adults. Over the decades, TUW administration and faculty have developed expertise in the rewards and challenges of online learning.
This accumulated knowledge led to creating of a Student Success Center providing online students guidance in many different areas, including individualized degree plans that help them stay on track for on-time graduation. Students also receive course recommendations to complete their chosen program and assistance with registration.
Ways to Reduce School Stress
With support from the university, online students can improve their college experience even more by keeping some best practices in mind to reduce stress.
One of the first ways to reduce stress is not getting stressed out by stress itself. It’s impossible altogether to avoid stress. That’s especially true in certain situations, such as the week a project is due or the days leading up to midterms and finals. That sort of stress is expected and a normal reaction to pressure. However, chronic stress can lead to health issues. Students can maintain better health by adopting best practices in different areas.
Time Management
Time management is the key to keeping stress at a minimum. Most days that become stressful start without a plan to manage school-related tasks. This is even more important for those who balance a full-time job with attending school. By making a schedule in advance and sticking with it, students can alleviate many of the deadline pressures that can lead to stress.
Create a Space
It’s stressful to attempt to read course materials, take a quiz or listen to a lecture while in the midst of whatever is happening in your home. Students should create a space dedicated to learning and let everyone in the house know they would not distract the student during schome.
Social Life Management
While online learning makes it possible to earn a degree while holding a job s one of its main attractions – it may also lead tmissingss some job-related social events after hours. Also, it’s a smart move in most situations to let your supervisor and close peers know that you are pursuing your degree. That will help them understand when you miss a get-together because you’re handling a school assignment.
Down Time
Earning a college degree presents challenges. It’s easy to get caught up in learning and lose track of time. But students can reduce physical issues such as back and eye strain by taking routine breaks. It’s also essential to avoid burnout by taking frequent breaks. Time spent with family and friends can refresh a student for the next school-related assignment.
Stay Connected
Students should use online tools to stay connected with classmates and faculty. Participation in online discussions and reaching out to talk about class topics with other students one-on-one can combat any feelings of loneliness experienced by taking courses online. Many students make friends for life from across the nation and around the world through online courses.
Self-Care
People function better when they get good sleep and eat well. High-quality foods that contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants can help students feel more energy. Sleep is also critical. Studies have shown that missing even a few hours of sleep can worsen academic performance.
By keeping these best practices in mind, as well as taking advantage of resources offered by Touro University Worldwide, online students can avoid school stress and focus on learning and reaping the benefits of a college education.
