Studying + paperwork + a pile of assignments + part-time job = STRESS.

Being a working student is never an easy task. Handling both studies and work really requires tons of effort and involves a lot of responsibilities. It also means having less time for yourself.

According to a 2013 survey by the Nightline Association, 65% of students feel stressed. While students worry about their assignments and paperwork, working students also juggle their part-time jobs. Instead of relaxing during weekends and holidays, they’re working to earn some extra cash.

As a working student, every spare minute appears to be very important. Every second seems to be filled with worrying: you feel like you have to finish this and that, you have to achieve something and make plans for whatever else that needs to be done.

I want to share some simple tips that helped me, and might help you, beat stress and maintain good posture.

Make the most of your time

Our time is really of great importance. We should all make the most of it. The best way to manage time is to schedule our competing priorities.

Map out everything about how you are going to spend your days or weeks between classes, study, social events and work. Along with designating your class and study time, make some notes about your exams, projects and assignments to ensure you complete them by their deadlines.

Maintaining a full-time management system will prevent you from cramming and having sleepless nights. It can help you keep everything under control.

Don’t forget to have a good time

Treat yourself. Take a break. This can prevent you from burning out. Go shopping, buy makeup, watch movies, hang out with your friends and families, and eat and sleep like there’s no tomorrow.

Just because you have a heap of work doesn’t mean you have to bury yourself in it. Our body is the foundation for almost everything. Keeping it in good condition is one of many factors you should consider. And when you think you’ve already done your part for today, take a nap, recharge yourself and be ready for tomorrow’s challenges.

Seek guidance

All of us do really need guidance. It may be from our kin, friends, and of course from the Almighty above. We don’t need to be martyrs. We don’t have to solve everything independently. We can ask for help! Don’t say you will carry your load alone so as not to cause any burden to others, especially when you know you have someone who is willing to guide and support you.

Even though we are independent persons, there always comes a time when we need others’ companionship and advice.

Above all, there is God, and will always be there. He’s the one who’s always accessible and ready to assist. His time is free of charge. No need to buy Him neither snacks nor any freebies in exchange. All we have to do is hand Him our full trust and faith and surely, everything will run smoothly. Though He will not be giving you the people and the things that you want, but the people and challenges that will make you better as a person socially, emotionally and spiritually.

I have also asked 10 scholars under the Student Training Assistant program in our school about how they beat stress, and here are their responses.

Appreciate the experience, learn from the mistakes

Things might seem bad and don’t run according to how they’re supposed to, but if we try to see the bright side, there’s usually something positive to be learned.

Eat and rest well

Basically, eating is the first option we thinking of every time we feel stressed. Eating is a well-known stress reliever, especially if we eat healthy and nutritious food.

According to Stress.org.uk, stress and nutrition have always been linked. We shouldn’t eat just any food whenever we are hassled, because certain foods and drinks aggravate stress.

The great news is that eating chocolates is good for handling stress. Eating chocolate in reasonable amounts makes us feel emotionally better and improves the smooth running of our body’s endorphins.

And yes, having adequate sleep can battle stress. It enables us to tackle the day’s stress. Some people find that small 20-minute naps can increase productivity.

Sing and listen to music

According to PsychCentral.com, the soothing power of music is well-established. It has a link to our emotions, so it can be an extremely effective stress management tool. Music can have an extremely relaxing effect on our mind and body, especially classical music, as it helps slow the pulse and heart rate, lowers blood pressure and decreases the level of stress hormones. It can be a great help for meditation, which in turn can put us in a better frame of mind.

Hang out with good company

Hanging out with friends can be a great way to keep our mind off of things that stress us for a while. It is important to have a social life, unwind and take a break from other responsibilities sometimes.

Meditate, pray

When you’re stressed and feel like everything is moving against your plans, talk to God. Doing this can help you to calm down. You know, there is nothing better than communicating with God, whom you know has better plans for you.

You see, we don’t have to spend millions to maintain our good posture. Let us not take things too seriously. Being a stress-free part-time student starts with ourselves. We just simply have to broaden our mind that everything happens for a reason. Remember, there are many things we can achieve in life without being stressed.

And finally, don’t forget to smile. There’s a lot more reasons to be cheerful than your problems, right?