Insight with Dilara

Academic stress is a common experience for many students. Students can feel pressured, especially when exams, assignments, and extracurricular activities all come together. Like every student, I’ve experienced this too. A certain level of stress can provide motivation, but excessive stress can negatively impact both mental health and academic performance. Therefore, learning to cope with academic stress is an important skill for students.
One of the most effective ways to manage academic stress is time management. Planning tasks in advance and creating a realistic study schedule makes things more manageable. Breaking down large assignments or topics into smaller parts can also help students feel less overwhelmed. One of the most effective changes I made this year was keeping a planner and a journal. Planning each day prevented me from forgetting my tasks and I no longer work late into the night and disrupt my sleep schedule.

Another important method is taking regular breaks. Working for long periods without interruption reduces concentration and can create more stress. Taking short breaks allows the brain to rest and helps us be more productive when we return to work. There are many study techniques for this, such as the Pomodoro technique, working for 30 minutes and taking a 5-minute break. Repeating this a few times will allow you to work without getting tired.

Physical activity also plays a significant role in stress management. Doing sports, going for walks, or exercising reduces tension in the body and improves mood. Many students who exercise find that they feel more relaxed and focused afterward.
In my own experience, academic stress can sometimes be quite challenging. Especially when school, tennis practice, and other responsibilities all fall into the same period, I can feel very overwhelmed and pressured. One of the most helpful things in such times is planning my time and continuing to exercise. I find that playing tennis helps clear my mind and reduces stress. Also, breaking down tasks into smaller parts makes studying much more manageable.
In conclusion, academic stress is quite common for students, but it can be managed with the right habits. Time management, regular breaks, physical activity, and seeking support when needed can help students maintain both their academic success and mental health. My advice is not to stress yourself out to the point of affecting your mental health, because it’s not the end of the world and you can fix everything; what’s important is your self-confidence and determination.