e-Learning - Stress Free e-Learning

Managing Your Study Time
Stress Free e-Learning
Successful e-Learning
Effective Reading

What is stress?

Stress is a normal part of studying, but if you don't manage your study load and your other commitments well, the stress can grow, become a problem and prevent your study.

Stress adds challenge and opportunity to life. Without stress, life would be dull. Too much stress, however, can seriously affect your physical and mental health.

Recurring stress can:

• Reduce your self-esteem and confidence
• Reduce your memory and ability to understand
• Decrease your ability to study
• Create self-blame and self-doubt

In terms of your health it is important that you find the optimal level of stress that you can manage effectively.

Stress and the way in which people respond to it is unique to each of us. What one person may find relaxing, another will find stressful. For example - public speaking is routine for some people, whilst others view it as a difficult task and are uncomfortable with it. The key to stress reduction is identifying the strategies that fit you as an individual.

The best way to cope with unhealthy stress is to recognise it and when your stress levels are building. While we often think of stress as the result of external events, the events themselves are not necessarily stressful. It is the way in which each individual interprets and reacts to an event that produces stress.

Signs of stress

The signs of stress can be divided into four categories. For each category we have highlighted some of the symptoms you may experience:

Thoughts

• Self-criticism
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Forgetfulness or mental disorganization
• Pre-occupation with the future
• Repetitive thoughts
• Fear of failure

Feelings

• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Fear
• Moodiness
• Embarrassment

Behaviour

• Stuttering or other speech difficulties
• Crying
• Acting impulsively
• Nervous laughter
• Snapping at friends
• Teeth grinding or jaw clenching
• Increased smoking, alcohol or other drug use
• Being prone to more accidents
• Increased or decreased appetite

Physical symptoms

• Tight muscles or muscle spasms
• Cold or sweaty hands
• Headaches
• Back or neck problems
• Sleep disturbance
• Stomach pain and diarrohea
• Frequent colds and infections
• Tiredness
• Rapid breathing or pounding heart
• Trembling
• Dry mouth

What causes stress?

Stress can become too much when there are high demands made on your time, your ability or other personal resources and a feeling that you have little control over these demands.

Perception plays an important part in ones' experience of stress, therefore it is unique to that person and the experience can vary enormously from student to student.

Stress and your study

You can keep your study related stress down by staying on top of your studying. You can do this by using your time well each day. Commit enough time to your studies so that you complete at the time you plan to complete.

Remember, when studying a BYTSYZ course there are no demands placed on you with regard to how you study or the length of time you should study for. You decide this for yourself. Once you have made a plan that suits you the best way to keep your stress level down is to stick to it.

High Demand for study + Low Control of time = Stress City!

Quick tips to prevent and deal with stress

• Plan, plan, plan your study.
• Do not get behind with your studies, adhere to your plan.
• Be clear about what is required of you. Ignorance can be no excuse for failure.
• Use the stress as a motivator to meet the challenge, but manage the stress.
• Have fun. Exercise regularly and eat well.
• Learn to recognise your signs of stress. Deal with them as they arise. Ignore them at your peril.