Managing stress doesn’t mean eliminating it, but learning how to harness it for personal growth.

With exam season fast approaching, it is understandable that stress is at an all-time high for us students. No matter how many times we have gone through these seasons, it can be difficult to try to remain calm when the amount of pressure makes it feel as if we are never going to get through this. However, as I have been progressing through this academic year, I have come to understand that stress does not have to be inherently harmful. The way it is managed is what defines it as detrimental or beneficial. 

This shift in perspective taught me that stress, when managed correctly, can be an incredibly motivating factor, pushing me to grow, adapt and excel rather than retreat to anxious thoughts. That’s why it is crucial to know how best to manage it when hectic moments in life arise, even if they are not academically related.

During the beginning of my first year of law school, I adopted one of the most straightforward yet effective ways for me to calm my nerves from the well-being coordinator within the college. The trick was to intentionally breathe. For example, lately I have been feeling overwhelmed at times with all the upcoming deadlines I have. Whenever I am stressed out about this, I end up breathing in and out right there. When I first started doing this, it felt strange to purposely pause and just breathe, but eventually it became a small habit of mine. 

I know it sounds simple and painfully obvious, but it has allowed me to work through issues as objectively as possible and be more efficient with my time. Each inhale and exhale clears my mind, increasing my overall control and mental clarity.

Besides the breathing exercises, I have come to realize that another way for me to cope with my stress is to ensure the space around me is tidy. Whether that’s my room or my office space, even just taking five minutes to quickly sort it out provides me a sense of control amidst whatever chaos is occurring in my life. When I am organizing my desk or making my bed, I find it interesting that it translates into my mind feeling more organized. I have noticed that my physical space being neat positively correlates with my mentality. It allows me to compartmentalize my stress, making me feel more manageable about daunting situations. 

Whenever I feel like stress is beginning to peak for me, I have implemented sharing it with people who attentively listen. Expressing these anxious thoughts to them does not necessarily mean that I want them to fix the issue for me or give me suggestions, as most of the time, just validating what I am saying can drastically ease the emotions that have been consuming me. Although I had a support system before law school, it has been comforting to expand that with the individuals I have met so far in law school. Connecting with peers, who genuinely understand the intensity that can come with law school and share the same pressures, has made my time here feel less isolating since a mutual understanding is present. 

Maintaining consistent personal routines has contributed to managing my stress better. One of these routines for me is taking care of my skin. I sometimes tend to neglect this when I am feeling super overwhelmed or if there is a lot to do. However, when I was reflecting on this choice, I realized that there is always something going on in my life, especially as I get older. That doesn’t mean that I should just abandon my routine completely. Now I actively make myself do this daily routine, and it has improved my day. Actively putting effort daily into myself at the beginning of each day before I get on with it, and winding down the same way before I drift off to sleep has improved how I accomplish the things I need to. Small regular routines such as this one become critical, allowing me short yet meaningful escapes that recharge my energy without encouraging avoidance of my responsibilities.

With the transition from undergraduate studies to law school, managing this change in stress levels that came with taking even more rigorous academics meant engaging with my hobbies was essential. Law school does not allow me to fully pursue all my hobbies, but I can implement them in small ways. Taking a brisk walk outdoors while listening to my favourite music or deciding to paint on a small inanimate object has helped me retain my sense of identity from before I began law school, which has additionally maintained peace within me. Even if I am not to completely devote myself to a hobby, being able to explore and brainstorm how I can further enhance it brings me joy and keeps me emotionally grounded.

It’s vital to recognize that when it comes to stress management, this is not a skill that is developed overnight. It requires patience and compassion with oneself. Even though managing my own stress has gotten better, I continuously remind myself that mastering this takes time and practice and that it’s okay to still feel overwhelmed at times. 

The goal for me is for my stress management to be consistent, rather than perfect, and that should be the goal for everyone. Allowing myself to have grace for myself causes it to be easier for stress management to be sustainable. 

We should not fear or constantly fight against stress, as it is a part of our everyday life, especially as students. By actively incorporating ways to manage it, I am on the journey of transforming stress from a source of anxiety into a tool for personal and academic growth. The true strength lies not in eliminating stress entirely, but in learning to harness it constructively, turning it into an ally in my journey rather than an adversary.