1. Study Groups

In the first week of my last semester I had a math tutorial,  everything our TA said felt like gibberish and I was really second  guessing if this was the class for me. Turns out, I wasn’t the only one  thinking that and in the elevator after class we all shared our names  and phone numbers for a study group. Studying in a group has been proven to reduce stress in several ways, but I’ve found the most beneficial  aspects have been for accountability, learning support, and knowing I’m  not alone. For more on creating a successful study group click here.

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2. Hobbies or Passion Projects

Although I love studying neuroscience, there is a whole pile of  topics I don’t get remotely close to studying such as fine arts or  foreign languages, so I started using small breaks between my studying,  or even just when I had some extra time, to learn about those things  without the pressure of getting a grade for it. Resources like  workbooks, YouTube videos, and Coursera have been super fun ways to explore some of my passions like European architecture and Hangul.

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3. Online Counselling

At first, I was a bit skeptical about talking to someone over a call  about how overwhelmed I felt, but it turned out to be one of the best  decisions I’ve made. After moving out of province I just wasn’t ready to change counsellors and online counselling has accommodated that change  and given me a space to talk openly about the stress that builds up from juggling school, work, and life in general. It’s not about having a  crisis; it’s about having someone to help untangle your thoughts and  process what you’re going through. I usually log in from my dorm room,  wearing my pjs, and sometimes I even have a snack, but I always leave  the session feeling a little lighter and a lot more grounded.

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4. Destination Studying

There’s something about being in a fresh space that helps me reset.  Some weeks I rotate between my university library, a downtown café with  big windows, or even a spot in the dining hall. Changing locations helps me associate each spot with focus and calm, and I weirdly feel more  put-together just by being out in the world, like I need to be that  mysterious stranger in a cafe. Plus, it makes studying feel less like a  chore and more like a quiet adventure with good coffee… or a really good bagel.

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5. Organization Platforms

Before I started using calendar apps and Notion, everything lived in my brain or a planner that I totally remembered to  use after the first week… and it was chaos. Now, I keep track of  deadlines, study schedules, and even workout planning all in one place.  It’s weirdly satisfying to drag and drop tasks or check off boxes, and  it helps my mind feel a little less cluttered. When my schedule is  clear, my stress is cut in half, and I actually feel more in control of  my week instead of constantly scrambling to keep up. I love getting to  see what assignments I can start a little early too.

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Bonus: Snacks and a good coffee maker

This one feels small, but it’s powerful. Having a go-to snack (hello, sourdough toast and frozen grapes) and an iced coffee I made myself  makes study sessions more bearable and sometimes even enjoyable. Taking a snack break gives me something to look forward to, and making a little  ritual out of brewing coffee helps signal to my brain that it’s time to  focus.