Editors’ Letters: Stress and success

Batten down the hatches. It is term three. Term three is notorious at Warwick for being a hotspot for revision insanity. There is no room in the library, the learning grids are packed and the majority of the student population has entered meltdown mode.

For example, if you walk past Curiositea you will probably see it full of students on a ‘break’ trying to pay attention to their friends’ revision woes, whilst hoping they’ve successfully marked their territory in the library with a gigantic stack of books and notes. In short, term three can be a little bit unhealthy for your mental welfare. A bit of stress can at times be a hugely helpful motivator to tackle the work you have to do but that doesn’t mean that stress should be perceived as the norm. If you are anything like me then during intense revision periods you feel the obligation to be stressed. I mean, let’s face it, if you aren’t stressed then you aren’t working hard enough…Right?

Aside from the medicinal power of a cup of tea I do believe there is nothing as calming as a walk to ease the mind.

Wrong. It’s high time I started telling myself that stress doesn’t go hand-in-hand with success. It’s certainly true that if you want to succeed then you need to work hard but if it is at the expense of your own happiness then it is simply not worth it. So, for what my twopence is worth, I have a few words of advice that you can do what you will with. Firstly, if the weather is nice, go for a long stroll. If you are on campus, why not try walking over by Lakeside? It is beautiful in the summer (but mind you avoid the swans)! If you are in Leamington take a jaunt round Jephson Gardens, it’s equally as relaxing. Aside from the medicinal power of a cup of tea I do believe there is nothing as calming as a walk to ease the mind.

Outside you can see people getting on with their lives and this can serve as a welcome reminder that there really is life outside the Campus bubble. Secondly, and this will be very decisive, listen to music while you are revising notes. Instrumental music is your best bet because piano music is notorious for being calming and for helping you get into the ‘zone’. I know it sounds a bit fluffy but it’s your own independent space, and, if it helps you relax, who cares if you’re listening to anything from Mozart to Ke$ha?!

Finally, cast your mind back to your A-levels. You thought you couldn’t be anymore stressed than you were then, right? Well, you got through them, didn’t you? Just remember you can do the same here.

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Photo: flickr/advocation