6.5 Assignment Critical Reflection Journal – Blog
The Impact of Stress on Academic Performance of Online Students
Write a reflective blog post on this week’s readings, Roundtable dialogue, and/or action research learnings. The blog writing may be your choice, but it must be substantive, including outside scholarly works, etc.
The Impact of Stress on the Academic Performance of Online Students
Over the last several weeks, my blog has centered on “The Impact of Stress on the Academic Performance of Online Students.” For the final installment, we will look at some tips to overcome the stress that has come to the surface while exploring the subject of stress and academic performance. Although stress has existed in human beings since the beginning of time, it does not mean we should not try to avoid it or cope with it and help lessen it for others.
Research shows a clear connection between chronic stress and college life, and they are virtually inseparable. Research also shows that the stress experienced by students can affect learning, which impedes academic performance. In addition to affecting the ability to learn, stress also affects learning behavior. Academic challenges, in return, also create discomfort, resulting in an overall increased state of anxiety and decreased performance. So what tips and techniques can students use to overcome the stress and pressures of pursuing a college education?
The most common way is effective time management. A properly balanced schedule has proportionate and timely amounts of work and rest. Students can handle much strain if they have time to recover, during the day, over time, and during sleep, with sleep having powerful therapeutic qualities. The area where stress appears is almost always caused by sleep deprivation. Students with full schedules are infamous for missing sleep. Trying to function effectively in a sleep-deprived state puts you at a distinct disadvantage. Research shows that less productive students may find learning more difficult. Research also suggests that sleep deprivation and daytime sleepiness are linked to impaired mood, lower GPAs, and a higher risk of academic failure. The best advice for students is to pay attention to their sleep schedule. Students should aim to get at least 8 hours a night and take frequent naps as necessary.
Another way to improve your ability to manage student stress is to look for ways to eliminate stress from your life. Students should assess the things that cause stress or anxiety in their life. Are these things necessary? Are these things providing more benefits than the toll they are taking on your mental health? If the answer is no, sometimes the best option is just to remove them altogether. Removing them may mean cutting out some of your extracurricular activities. It could also reduce the use of social media. Lastly, it might mean simply learning to refuse requests, which strains your time, energy, and resources. Though this might be difficult at first, being able to prioritize yourself and your mental well-being is essential to reducing stress, thereby improving your academic performance.
While there are many effective coping strategies for dealing with the stress of being a college student, the above are just two ways to reduce stress. It is imperative to remember that stress is different for everyone. What works for one may not work for another, so figuring out what works for you specifically may take some trial and error. The best way is to take care of yourself physically and emotionally and try different stress relief strategies to decide what works best to help lessen your stress. If stress and anxiety are causing distress or making it difficult to function daily, it is essential to seek help immediately and not wait. Many schools offer services that can help, including face-to-face and online mental health services.
