There’s no doubt that college can be a stressful time for many. Students juggle classes, homework, projects, and often other responsibilities such as jobs and family. Financial concerns are also common and can contribute to the stress. This list of life hacks for stressed-out students addresses issues from taking care of yourself and learning to relax to dealing with specific stressors related to school such as managing money, paying for school, having the right major, looking ahead to grad school, and entering the working world after graduation.
Take Care of Yourself
The first thing you need to do is learn how to manage your stress. These tips will get you on your way.
- Make sure you get enough sleep. Not only can a lack of sleep increase your stress level, it can also decrease your performance at school.
- Eat right. Start with a good breakfast and make sure you eat balanced, healthy meals throughout the day.
- Exercise. With all that studying you do, it might seem difficult to get exercise in to your day. Ride your bike and walk anyplace within two miles, see if your school has a gym (they are usually free for students), go for a run, or join a group on the weekends that participates in outdoor activities such as hiking or swimming.
- Drink lots of water. Keeping your body hydrated will keep your energy up, help you stay healthy, and offers a better alternative to unhealthy drinks full of artificial ingredients.
- Seek help for your anxiety. There are many organizations available to help students dealing with anxiety. Many campuses have mental health counselors and there are also plenty of online resources for students.
- Moderate your alcohol consumption. Drinking too much alcohol can lead to stress on many levels as it costs money, may affect your health, and can contribute to poor school performance. Keep your alcohol consumption to a moderate level to help manage your stress.
- Find a balance. Learn how to balance your school work and free time to ensure you don’t focus too much on one or the other.
- Get regular check-ups. Not only will your doctor be able to keep an eye on your physical health, but she may be able to offer great tips on managing stress.
- Avoid too much caffeine. While caffeine is many a student’s favorite way to stay awake for late-night cram sessions, it will often promote anxiety, even in small doses.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking may seem like a good way to calm your frazzled nerves, but nicotine is actually a stimulant and will also increase your anxiety.
You need a clear head to see your way to problem-solving the source of your stress. These tips provide tons of ways for you to relax a bit before moving on to managing specific issues.
- Set aside down time. It’s important that you take some time away from school to do things that you enjoy. Make sure you give yourself time each week, if not each day, to yourself.
- Meditate. Set aside a few minutes every day for quiet meditation.
- Yoga breathing. The deep, relaxing form of breathing used during yoga practice provides relaxation and calmness.
- Pamper yourself. Take a long shower, soak in a tub, or turn off the lights and listen to soothing music. Find a way to pamper yourself just because you can.
- Slow down. Rushing from class to class all day then dashing off to your work is too stressful. Find a way to reschedule your responsibilities so you can slow down.
- Journal. Writing down your thoughts and emotions is a great way to rid yourself of stress and anxiety. If you prefer something a little more public, why not start a blog.
- Emotions. Become aware of your emotions. Pretending you don’t have certain feelings such as anger, sadness, or loneliness will just push these feeling down until they come back out in less healthy ways.
- Think positively. Many people believe that thinking positively can not only change your outlook, but the outcome of all you are involved in doing.
- Smile. Smile and laugh often. Not only will it help you feel better, it will also affect those around you.
Part of your stress may be a result of poor study habits. Learn how to study smart and efficiently in order to take the worry out of it all.
- Check your study skills. Find out how polished your study skills really are with this quiz.
- Set up a calming study environment. Having a quite place to study will set the mood each time you sit down to work. This will help your performance and reduce stress.
- Overcome test anxiety. For many students, test anxiety can be crippling and can affect their grades. Learn how to reduce your test anxiety to better cope with a major part of getting an education.
- Use online writing labs. Writing is a major part of almost all the classes you will take during your education. Learning to write will reduce your stress and improve your chances for success. Purdue has an awesome online writing lab with a ton of helpful information.
- Be prepared. Always come to class with all the materials you need. Being prepared means you will never be caught short in any situation.
- Be on time. Not only does showing up late upset your professors, it means you’ve missed out on part of your class. Give yourself plenty of time to be on time for class and study dates.
- Establish goals. Set goals for yourself such as the amount of time you will study for your classes each night, how much time you will devote to reading assignments, and setting realistic timelines for projects.
- Practice self-discipline. Sure it would be more fun to go out with your friends, but the night before a big test is not the best time. Practice self-discipline so you can make wise choices for your actions.
- Take responsibility. Keep in mind that you are ultimately the one responsible for your success or failure at school. When you make the choice to study, spend extra time on a difficult problem, or seek extra help for something you don’t understand, you are taking responsibility for your success.
One reason you may be feeling so stressed is because you haven’t quite figured out how to manage your time and stay organized. These hacks will have you running a much smoother operation when it comes to school work.
- Learn the basics of time management. Learn to manage your time so you can reduce your stress and increase your success in school.
- Get an organized system. Set up an organized system for papers and files so that you can keep everything organized and within easy reach.
- Use online student organizers. Free student organizers such as GradeMate and MyNoteit will keep your assignments, projects, and due dates straight.
- Homework scheduler. Use a homework scheduler that is specifically aimed at improving your grades like Gradefix.
- Keep to-do lists and a calendar. Writing down assignments and tests will keep you on task and you will never forget another important date.
- Use an assignment planner. If you have a difficult time judging how much time your projects and assignments take, then use an assignment planner to help you carve out enough time and make sure you are staying on track.
- Avoid procrastination. One of the biggest enemies of time management is procrastination. If you find yourself falling prey to this problem, take a look at your procrastination habits and learn how to stop.
- Analyze your daily schedule. If you just can’t seem to stay on task no matter what, use this tool to help figure out where your time goes and what you should change.
- Prioritize tasks. Learn how to rank the priority of your tasks so you know which ones should be done first. Having your tasks prioritized can eliminate tons of unnecessary stress.
These tools are great for students who want to make the most of their time and reduce their stress levels.
- Google Notebook. Google fans will love keeping all their notes together with this feature-rich tool.
- Zotero. If you use Firefox, this app helps you collect, organize, and cite research sources from your Internet research.
- Remember the Milk. This easy-to-use to-do list keeps all your tasks organized and even reminds you when something is due.
- EasyBib. Use this tool to easily create a bibliography for books, journal articles, and more using MLA style.
- Evernote. This popular tool allows you to capture notes from anywhere, including text, email, Internet, to-do lists, and voice memo. After you capture your notes, synchronize them across all your devices and share with others.
- VUE. Created at Tufts University, this mind mapping tool is a great tool for organizing your thoughts and ideas and is designed specifically for academic situations.
- WordCounter. Use this online word counter to get an instant word count by simply pasting your content into the tool.
- UberNote. UberNote allows you to bookmark, email, or IM notes and also provides access to your notes from both your desktop and your mobile phone.
- Stickies. Use Stickies like virtual Post-It notes to keep track of all those small notes on your computer desktop–only without the sticky residue.
- Wizlite. Highlight online text and share with others using Wizlite.
- Wired-Marker. If you’ve ever returned to a bookmarked website only to have forgotten why you bookmarked it, then you will love Wired-Marker. This tool permanently highlights specific sections of websites and automatically bookmarks it so you know exactly what was important when you return to the site.
For many students, the financial burden of getting an education can create a huge amount of stress. Learn tips for saving and managing your money with these hacks.
- Be smart with your books. Only buy used books. They have the same information as new at a fraction of the cost. If possible, buy online as you can frequently find great deals that way. And finally, at the end of the semester, sell you books back to reclaim some of the money you spent.
- Take the basics at a less expensive school. Spend the summer taking the basics at a school with lower tuition and fees, such as at community colleges. Just make sure the classes will transfer back to your school.
- Test out of classes. Testing out of classes, even if you have to pay for the testing, is usually much less expensive than the tuition and fees associated with taking the same class in school.
- Ask for money as gifts. Ask friends and family to consider contributing to your college education in place of the birthday and holiday gifts they would give you each year.
- Save often. Put money back as frequently as you can to help build a savings account that will help you get started after college.
- Keep an emergency fund. No matter how little it seems, keeping some money for emergencies only can alleviate the worries that can creep up when considering unexpected expenses such as car repair or unplanned trips home.
- Live at home. Part of the excitement of starting college is finally leaving home and starting a life of your own, but if you live at home, you can save an average of $6,000 a year on room and board.
- Manage credit cards. Don’t put anything on your credit cards you can’t afford to pay off immediately. Credit card debt can be expensive and difficult to get out from under. Also, don’t fall prey to those student credit card promotions. Only keep one credit card.
- Examine spending habits. Carefully track your spending for a few months, then analyze where your money is going. You may be surprised to learn how much you spend in a certain area, such as eating out or drinking at bars. This exercise can also help sharpen your financial literacy.
- Avoid unnecessary fees. Avoid any bank fees you don’t have to pay such as using ATMs out of network or fees for bouncing checks.
- Join a credit union. Many schools are associated with a credit union. If your school isn’t, explore other options for joining one, where you can usually save on bank fees, get lower interest rates on loans, and earn higher interest rates on investments.
- Find a student discount program. Programs like this one can help you save money on items you already purchase.
- Focus on paying off debt. If you already have debt, focus on paying that off before making any other unnecessary purchases such as buying new clothes or going out partying.
If you find yourself unable to continue to pay for your classes, don’t stress. Here are some tips to help you find financial aid to fund your education.
- Look into scholarships. There are many scholarships available for students attending accredited colleges, and all you need to do is find them.
- Be aware of scams. There are plenty of unscrupulous people out there trying to take advantage of others, so be familiar with scholarship scams. Also, beware of scholarship scams.
- Look for grants. Grants are money given to you for education that does not have to be repaid. Financial need and academic achievement are usually the considerations for receiving grant money.
- Learn about student loans. Loans do have to be repaid, but there are many options for students to receive low-interest loans with special payback options tailored just for students.
- Become an RA. Become a residential advisor, overseeing the activities in the dorm, and gets free room and board in exchange for your work.
- Complete a FAFSA. Go online to complete your FAFSA, which determines your eligibility for loans, grants, and scholarships.
- Learn about the Federal Work Study Program. Learn how you can apply for part-time work to help you earn funds for your education.
- Use calculators. Financial aid calculators can help you understand how much money you will need for college, how to save the most money, and for how much loan money you may qualify.
- Make money online. There are plenty of ways college students can make money online to help pay for their education.
- Find more information. There are several sites online, such as Student Finance Domain, that offer a wide range of resources to help students understand financial aid and money management.
Maybe you are finding yourself doubting the course you’ve set out for yourself in school. If you think your stress may be from choosing a major you aren’t happy pursuing, follow these tips to find another major.
- Wait before choosing. If you haven’t already declared a major or are just discovering you don’t feel well-suited to your declared major, take several of the general requirement classes to see where your strengths and interest may lie.
- Think about your interests. Consider what topics or fields stir your passion. A career in something you love will be much more promising than one you are pursuing for the wrong reasons.
- Don’t forget your skills. Think about your strengths and skill set. Are you better in math and science or writing and analyzing? If you hate writing, reading, politics, and don’t have an attention for detail, then you may want to reconsider that future in law.
- Look at the most popular majors. Find out what the most popular majors are and why. This might spark an interest for you.
- Think about what not to study. This article offers a tongue-in-cheek view to the ten worst majors, but it also offers a reality check for you to think about what kind of future you envision with your major.
- Find the potential. Learn what you can do with a specific major after graduation by finding resources that describe how to use your major.
- Use a worksheet. Using a majors worksheet is a great way to get all your information in one place to help you analyze your strengths, interests, and abilities.
- Think about your minor. A minor can complement your major and add to the value of your major. Discover why your minor is important.
- Take a reality check. Really think about the choice you are making and see if it fits your lifestyle, interests, and abilities. If you dislike school, any major that requires more than four years of undergrad studies should probably not be in your future. If you love helping others and have a passion for science, but your father wants you to join the family accounting business, think carefully about the path you choose as something in the medical field might be a better match for you than accounting.
If grad school is stressing you out, then take this advice to calm your fears and anxieties before heading on to the next level of you education.
- Determine if grad school is right for you. Reading articles such as this one provides important points to consider when making a decision.
- Learn what is ahead of you. Visit GradSchools.com to find out everything from what you should do before applying to what you can expect during grad school.
- Focus on the target. Find out how to evaluate programs, how to write stunning admission essays, how to submit applications, and more to help you get into the school of your choice with these resources.
- Think about taking the GRE. You will need to take the GRE to gain admittance to grad school find out when the best time to take it is, then plan accordingly.
- Visit the official GRE site. This site provides an overview of the test, tips, practice tests, and much more to give you a leg up on the test.
- Prepare for the GRE. Don’t walk into the test thinking the past four years of school has you prepared to take the GRE. Use resources such as these and these to help you prepare.
- Learn techniques for taking the GRE. Discover how to ace the GRE by learning helpful techniques for taking the test.
- Learn time management. Since the GRE is timed, you will want to learn how to best manage your time in order to make the most on each section.
- Become familiar with the GRE. See screenshots of the computerized GRE, learn what the GRE measures, learn about the benefits and risks of guessing, and anything else you gather about the GRE to help you become familiar with it beforehand.
- Practice. Sites such as Kaplan and Peterson’s offer great resources for practicing to take the GRE.
If leaving school and entering the real world is causing you stress, then follow this advice to help ease the anxiety that the job search can bring.
- Know what career to pursue. Find out what the top 30 careers are as rated by CareerGrad.
- Take an assessment. Take a career test to find some direction for your future.
- Stay on track. Know what you should be doing during each of the four years of your education to prepare for your career with this checklist.
- Get a resume ready. Even if you aren’t already looking for a job, preparing a resume in advance gives you something to start with and a chance to be revising and refining it. Be sure to use these five tips for creating a resume that is just right for new grads.
- Use templates. There are plenty of templates for resumes and sample letters that relieve you of having to start from scratch.
- Dress for success. Knowing what to wear to interviews can provide you with a great first impression and show potential employers that you are a professional.
- Keep Your E-Image Clean. Having a good online image is important as potential employers will often check social networks to see what they can learn about applicants. Follow this advice to ensure potential employers don’t cross you off their list because of a silly mistake you made.
- Learn how to network. Networking is frequently an important element to finding a job. Learn what you should and shouldn’t do when networking with these tips.
- Use the Internet. Follow the steps in this tutorial to learn how you can best find a job through the Internet.
- Don’t worry about the recession. You may have heard horror stories about new grads not finding jobs, but that isn’t always the case. Follow these tips to ensure you have the best success for finding a job, even during a recession.
There’s no doubt that college can be a stressful time for many. Students juggle classes, homework, projects, and often other responsibilities such as jobs and family. Financial concerns are also common and can contribute to the stress. This list of life hacks for stressed-out students addresses issues from taking care of yourself and learning to relax to dealing with specific stressors related to school such as managing money, paying for school, having the right major, looking ahead to grad school, and entering the working world after graduation.
Take Care of Yourself
The first thing you need to do is learn how to manage your stress. These tips will get you on your way.
- Make sure you get enough sleep. Not only can a lack of sleep increase your stress level, it can also decrease your performance at school.
- Eat right. Start with a good breakfast and make sure you eat balanced, healthy meals throughout the day.
- Exercise. With all that studying you do, it might seem difficult to get exercise in to your day. Ride your bike and walk anyplace within two miles, see if your school has a gym (they are usually free for students), go for a run, or join a group on the weekends that participates in outdoor activities such as hiking or swimming.
- Drink lots of water. Keeping your body hydrated will keep your energy up, help you stay healthy, and offers a better alternative to unhealthy drinks full of artificial ingredients.
- Seek help for your anxiety. There are many organizations available to help students dealing with anxiety. Many campuses have mental health counselors and there are also plenty of online resources for students.
- Moderate your alcohol consumption. Drinking too much alcohol can lead to stress on many levels as it costs money, may affect your health, and can contribute to poor school performance. Keep your alcohol consumption to a moderate level to help manage your stress.
- Find a balance. Learn how to balance your school work and free time to ensure you don’t focus too much on one or the other.
- Get regular check-ups. Not only will your doctor be able to keep an eye on your physical health, but she may be able to offer great tips on managing stress.
- Avoid too much caffeine. While caffeine is many a student’s favorite way to stay awake for late-night cram sessions, it will often promote anxiety, even in small doses.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking may seem like a good way to calm your frazzled nerves, but nicotine is actually a stimulant and will also increase your anxiety.
You need a clear head to see your way to problem-solving the source of your stress. These tips provide tons of ways for you to relax a bit before moving on to managing specific issues.
- Set aside down time. It’s important that you take some time away from school to do things that you enjoy. Make sure you give yourself time each week, if not each day, to yourself.
- Meditate. Set aside a few minutes every day for quiet meditation.
- Yoga breathing. The deep, relaxing form of breathing used during yoga practice provides relaxation and calmness.
- Pamper yourself. Take a long shower, soak in a tub, or turn off the lights and listen to soothing music. Find a way to pamper yourself just because you can.
- Slow down. Rushing from class to class all day then dashing off to your work is too stressful. Find a way to reschedule your responsibilities so you can slow down.
- Journal. Writing down your thoughts and emotions is a great way to rid yourself of stress and anxiety. If you prefer something a little more public, why not start a blog.
- Emotions. Become aware of your emotions. Pretending you don’t have certain feelings such as anger, sadness, or loneliness will just push these feeling down until they come back out in less healthy ways.
- Think positively. Many people believe that thinking positively can not only change your outlook, but the outcome of all you are involved in doing.
- Smile. Smile and laugh often. Not only will it help you feel better, it will also affect those around you.
Part of your stress may be a result of poor study habits. Learn how to study smart and efficiently in order to take the worry out of it all.
- Check your study skills. Find out how polished your study skills really are with this quiz.
- Set up a calming study environment. Having a quite place to study will set the mood each time you sit down to work. This will help your performance and reduce stress.
- Overcome test anxiety. For many students, test anxiety can be crippling and can affect their grades. Learn how to reduce your test anxiety to better cope with a major part of getting an education.
- Use online writing labs. Writing is a major part of almost all the classes you will take during your education. Learning to write will reduce your stress and improve your chances for success. Purdue has an awesome online writing lab with a ton of helpful information.
- Be prepared. Always come to class with all the materials you need. Being prepared means you will never be caught short in any situation.
- Be on time. Not only does showing up late upset your professors, it means you’ve missed out on part of your class. Give yourself plenty of time to be on time for class and study dates.
- Establish goals. Set goals for yourself such as the amount of time you will study for your classes each night, how much time you will devote to reading assignments, and setting realistic timelines for projects.
- Practice self-discipline. Sure it would be more fun to go out with your friends, but the night before a big test is not the best time. Practice self-discipline so you can make wise choices for your actions.
- Take responsibility. Keep in mind that you are ultimately the one responsible for your success or failure at school. When you make the choice to study, spend extra time on a difficult problem, or seek extra help for something you don’t understand, you are taking responsibility for your success.
One reason you may be feeling so stressed is because you haven’t quite figured out how to manage your time and stay organized. These hacks will have you running a much smoother operation when it comes to school work.
- Learn the basics of time management. Learn to manage your time so you can reduce your stress and increase your success in school.
- Get an organized system. Set up an organized system for papers and files so that you can keep everything organized and within easy reach.
- Use online student organizers. Free student organizers such as GradeMate and MyNoteit will keep your assignments, projects, and due dates straight.
- Homework scheduler. Use a homework scheduler that is specifically aimed at improving your grades like Gradefix.
- Keep to-do lists and a calendar. Writing down assignments and tests will keep you on task and you will never forget another important date.
- Use an assignment planner. If you have a difficult time judging how much time your projects and assignments take, then use an assignment planner to help you carve out enough time and make sure you are staying on track.
- Avoid procrastination. One of the biggest enemies of time management is procrastination. If you find yourself falling prey to this problem, take a look at your procrastination habits and learn how to stop.
- Analyze your daily schedule. If you just can’t seem to stay on task no matter what, use this tool to help figure out where your time goes and what you should change.
- Prioritize tasks. Learn how to rank the priority of your tasks so you know which ones should be done first. Having your tasks prioritized can eliminate tons of unnecessary stress.
These tools are great for students who want to make the most of their time and reduce their stress levels.
- Google Notebook. Google fans will love keeping all their notes together with this feature-rich tool.
- Zotero. If you use Firefox, this app helps you collect, organize, and cite research sources from your Internet research.
- Remember the Milk. This easy-to-use to-do list keeps all your tasks organized and even reminds you when something is due.
- EasyBib. Use this tool to easily create a bibliography for books, journal articles, and more using MLA style.
- Evernote. This popular tool allows you to capture notes from anywhere, including text, email, Internet, to-do lists, and voice memo. After you capture your notes, synchronize them across all your devices and share with others.
- VUE. Created at Tufts University, this mind mapping tool is a great tool for organizing your thoughts and ideas and is designed specifically for academic situations.
- WordCounter. Use this online word counter to get an instant word count by simply pasting your content into the tool.
- UberNote. UberNote allows you to bookmark, email, or IM notes and also provides access to your notes from both your desktop and your mobile phone.
- Stickies. Use Stickies like virtual Post-It notes to keep track of all those small notes on your computer desktop–only without the sticky residue.
- Wizlite. Highlight online text and share with others using Wizlite.
- Wired-Marker. If you’ve ever returned to a bookmarked website only to have forgotten why you bookmarked it, then you will love Wired-Marker. This tool permanently highlights specific sections of websites and automatically bookmarks it so you know exactly what was important when you return to the site.
For many students, the financial burden of getting an education can create a huge amount of stress. Learn tips for saving and managing your money with these hacks.
- Be smart with your books. Only buy used books. They have the same information as new at a fraction of the cost. If possible, buy online as you can frequently find great deals that way. And finally, at the end of the semester, sell you books back to reclaim some of the money you spent.
- Take the basics at a less expensive school. Spend the summer taking the basics at a school with lower tuition and fees, such as at community colleges. Just make sure the classes will transfer back to your school.
- Test out of classes. Testing out of classes, even if you have to pay for the testing, is usually much less expensive than the tuition and fees associated with taking the same class in school.
- Ask for money as gifts. Ask friends and family to consider contributing to your college education in place of the birthday and holiday gifts they would give you each year.
- Save often. Put money back as frequently as you can to help build a savings account that will help you get started after college.
- Keep an emergency fund. No matter how little it seems, keeping some money for emergencies only can alleviate the worries that can creep up when considering unexpected expenses such as car repair or unplanned trips home.
- Live at home. Part of the excitement of starting college is finally leaving home and starting a life of your own, but if you live at home, you can save an average of $6,000 a year on room and board.
- Manage credit cards. Don’t put anything on your credit cards you can’t afford to pay off immediately. Credit card debt can be expensive and difficult to get out from under. Also, don’t fall prey to those student credit card promotions. Only keep one credit card.
- Examine spending habits. Carefully track your spending for a few months, then analyze where your money is going. You may be surprised to learn how much you spend in a certain area, such as eating out or drinking at bars. This exercise can also help sharpen your financial literacy.
- Avoid unnecessary fees. Avoid any bank fees you don’t have to pay such as using ATMs out of network or fees for bouncing checks.
- Join a credit union. Many schools are associated with a credit union. If your school isn’t, explore other options for joining one, where you can usually save on bank fees, get lower interest rates on loans, and earn higher interest rates on investments.
- Find a student discount program. Programs like this one can help you save money on items you already purchase.
- Focus on paying off debt. If you already have debt, focus on paying that off before making any other unnecessary purchases such as buying new clothes or going out partying.
If you find yourself unable to continue to pay for your classes, don’t stress. Here are some tips to help you find financial aid to fund your education.
- Look into scholarships. There are many scholarships available for students attending accredited colleges, and all you need to do is find them.
- Be aware of scams. There are plenty of unscrupulous people out there trying to take advantage of others, so be familiar with scholarship scams. Also, beware of scholarship scams.
- Look for grants. Grants are money given to you for education that does not have to be repaid. Financial need and academic achievement are usually the considerations for receiving grant money.
- Learn about student loans. Loans do have to be repaid, but there are many options for students to receive low-interest loans with special payback options tailored just for students.
- Become an RA. Become a residential advisor, overseeing the activities in the dorm, and gets free room and board in exchange for your work.
- Complete a FAFSA. Go online to complete your FAFSA, which determines your eligibility for loans, grants, and scholarships.
- Learn about the Federal Work Study Program. Learn how you can apply for part-time work to help you earn funds for your education.
- Use calculators. Financial aid calculators can help you understand how much money you will need for college, how to save the most money, and for how much loan money you may qualify.
- Make money online. There are plenty of ways college students can make money online to help pay for their education.
- Find more information. There are several sites online, such as Student Finance Domain, that offer a wide range of resources to help students understand financial aid and money management.
Maybe you are finding yourself doubting the course you’ve set out for yourself in school. If you think your stress may be from choosing a major you aren’t happy pursuing, follow these tips to find another major.
- Wait before choosing. If you haven’t already declared a major or are just discovering you don’t feel well-suited to your declared major, take several of the general requirement classes to see where your strengths and interest may lie.
- Think about your interests. Consider what topics or fields stir your passion. A career in something you love will be much more promising than one you are pursuing for the wrong reasons.
- Don’t forget your skills. Think about your strengths and skill set. Are you better in math and science or writing and analyzing? If you hate writing, reading, politics, and don’t have an attention for detail, then you may want to reconsider that future in law.
- Look at the most popular majors. Find out what the most popular majors are and why. This might spark an interest for you.
- Think about what not to study. This article offers a tongue-in-cheek view to the ten worst majors, but it also offers a reality check for you to think about what kind of future you envision with your major.
- Find the potential. Learn what you can do with a specific major after graduation by finding resources that describe how to use your major.
- Use a worksheet. Using a majors worksheet is a great way to get all your information in one place to help you analyze your strengths, interests, and abilities.
- Think about your minor. A minor can complement your major and add to the value of your major. Discover why your minor is important.
- Take a reality check. Really think about the choice you are making and see if it fits your lifestyle, interests, and abilities. If you dislike school, any major that requires more than four years of undergrad studies should probably not be in your future. If you love helping others and have a passion for science, but your father wants you to join the family accounting business, think carefully about the path you choose as something in the medical field might be a better match for you than accounting.
If grad school is stressing you out, then take this advice to calm your fears and anxieties before heading on to the next level of you education.
- Determine if grad school is right for you. Reading articles such as this one provides important points to consider when making a decision.
- Learn what is ahead of you. Visit GradSchools.com to find out everything from what you should do before applying to what you can expect during grad school.
- Focus on the target. Find out how to evaluate programs, how to write stunning admission essays, how to submit applications, and more to help you get into the school of your choice with these resources.
- Think about taking the GRE. You will need to take the GRE to gain admittance to grad school find out when the best time to take it is, then plan accordingly.
- Visit the official GRE site. This site provides an overview of the test, tips, practice tests, and much more to give you a leg up on the test.
- Prepare for the GRE. Don’t walk into the test thinking the past four years of school has you prepared to take the GRE. Use resources such as these and these to help you prepare.
- Learn techniques for taking the GRE. Discover how to ace the GRE by learning helpful techniques for taking the test.
- Learn time management. Since the GRE is timed, you will want to learn how to best manage your time in order to make the most on each section.
- Become familiar with the GRE. See screenshots of the computerized GRE, learn what the GRE measures, learn about the benefits and risks of guessing, and anything else you gather about the GRE to help you become familiar with it beforehand.
- Practice. Sites such as Kaplan and Peterson’s offer great resources for practicing to take the GRE.
If leaving school and entering the real world is causing you stress, then follow this advice to help ease the anxiety that the job search can bring.
- Know what career to pursue. Find out what the top 30 careers are as rated by CareerGrad.
- Take an assessment. Take a career test to find some direction for your future.
- Stay on track. Know what you should be doing during each of the four years of your education to prepare for your career with this checklist.
- Get a resume ready. Even if you aren’t already looking for a job, preparing a resume in advance gives you something to start with and a chance to be revising and refining it. Be sure to use these five tips for creating a resume that is just right for new grads.
- Use templates. There are plenty of templates for resumes and sample letters that relieve you of having to start from scratch.
- Dress for success. Knowing what to wear to interviews can provide you with a great first impression and show potential employers that you are a professional.
- Keep Your E-Image Clean. Having a good online image is important as potential employers will often check social networks to see what they can learn about applicants. Follow this advice to ensure potential employers don’t cross you off their list because of a silly mistake you made.
- Learn how to network. Networking is frequently an important element to finding a job. Learn what you should and shouldn’t do when networking with these tips.
- Use the Internet. Follow the steps in this tutorial to learn how you can best find a job through the Internet.
- Don’t worry about the recession. You may have heard horror stories about new grads not finding jobs, but that isn’t always the case. Follow these tips to ensure you have the best success for finding a job, even during a recession.
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