Stress – The Orbital

13Jun

By Luz Sanchez Real ZielniewiczNo Comments

Science & Technology

It’s so fluffy I’m gonna die!

As we approach the end of the academic year, it’s time to look back on what we have achieved and how we’ve made it so far in the first place. From stalking Penn Badgley on campus, to temporarily moving into the library, we can safely say that this last term has been an emotional rollercoaster for the majority of us. It is in these trying times that we rely on our connections the most. Whether it is a study buddy, a parent or even your houseplant, I find that everyone has something they turn to. Today, I’d like to discuss your connections to all things cute. That’s right. From your dog, turtle, guinea pig, or that cat meme your friend sent you earlier, we are constantly exposed to adorable animals, and I’m not alone in saying that seeing a puppy at the library can make any day br...

3Jun

By Modupe ReisNo Comments

Features

#GiveYourselfAPec: A Brand New Mental Health Campaign to deal with Academic Stress

As exams have finally come to an end, I would like to say congratulations to everyone reading this! You made it – bring on the champagne and fireworks. Now that the ‘worst’ is over, I would like to call everyone to reflect on how the exam and essay season went, even though I’m pretty certain most of you want to completely erase the horror from your minds. Ask yourself the following questions: How did I feel during this time? Did I neglect my wellbeing? Was I constantly stressed? Did my Mental Health suffer under the academic pressure? Some of those questions are easy to answer – of course I was stressed – but the others might be more difficult to realise about yourself. Mental health is a tricky topic and, in trying to find out how essays and exams have affected me personally as well...

8Feb

By No Comments

Lifestyle

Don’t be SAD

It’s not the most light-hearted topic, but maybe that’s why it affects so many people. Depression is very common for people at university not because university itself is particularly horrible, but because it is a sign of A LOT of change. However, as the weather gets colder, seasonal depression (also known as SAD) becomes a real prominent issue for thousands of people every year. Some people are more likely to be effected by it than others; the cold miserable weather and the stress from going so long without a break can be incredibly difficult. Depression is not only linked to feeling sadness for an extended amount of time. In fact many people, especially students, find themselves under “a grey cloud”, where they find it hard to connect with anything. This happens in moments when w...

7Apr

By No Comments

Features

De-Stress Differently

The academic year is flying by and now it’s getting to that time of year. The time of late night breakdowns, officially moving in to the library and thinking, do I really need this degree? Regardless of whether you’ve revised or not, we are all far too familiar with the sleepless nights, churning stomach and existential crises that accompany the end of year exams. With that dreaded season fast approaching here are some alternative methods of relaxing and de-stressing before your final exams. 1. Revise with friends. Revising with friends, talking about your subjects and working together is a great way of studying. Working with friends is far less stressful than working alone; help each other out! 2. ASMR. ASMR stands for ‘autonomous sensory meridian response’ and has become massive...

19Feb

By Beth CarrNo Comments

Opinion

The Perils of All-Nighters

Beth Carr on why we need to stop the habit of staying up all night to complete work It’s 3am on a Wednesday night and campus is buzzing. But it’s not the SU that’s full: it’s the library. Not so much buzzing with activity but buzzing with caffeine. This is a picture of end of term deadline season and it’s worrying to think about. A second year historian floats into her sixth consecutive all-nighter. An MA student spends 50 hours awake to complete an essay and falls asleep in the SU. Even first years don’t escape the lure of skipping sleep in order to complete work on time. Third years in the midst of dissertations keep the quietest about their essay writing habits, but with the increasing trend of squeezing work into the night before the due date, I wouldn’t be surprised if some of t...

6May

By Tomike AdenijiNo Comments

Features

10 Things Not To Do Before Your Exams

Exams can be an extremely stressful time, as we all know. However sometimes we don't make the best decisions during this time. Here are a few things you shouldn't do before your exams: 1. Do not develop an addiction to a new show on Netflix. Trust me it never ends well. 2. Do not forget to guilt trip your parents in order to avoid doing chores. "Mum, the most important exam of my life is in two days, and you want me to do the washing up?!" (Something like that should work) 3. Do not believe everything your friends say. They may be smart, but your lecturer is smarter. If in doubt ask them first. 4. Do not get drunk the night before. Exams are painful enough without the horrible hangover. 5. Do not forget to treat yourself. This is a stressful time people. Buy yourself food an...

28Jan

By No Comments

Lifestyle

Stress Busting: A Winters Walk Around Virginia Waters Lake

As 2015 hits and the number of deadlines and workload increases, it’s vital to get away from it all. Leaving yourself stranded on a seemingly lonesome, and stressful, island is the last thing you want to be doing at this time of year. It is scientifically proven that fresh air helps to revitalise your mind, helping it to achieve maximum efficiency for working and studying. So I decided to try this out with a little walk around Virginia Waters Lake, which is just one stop away from Egham strain station. The occasional patter from a jogger or a dog walker is all that can be heard at first; the silence of the place somewhat deafening. The sun sets over a horizon of trees, and the odd photography enthusiast or regular Instagram addict can be seen trying to get artsy reflections in the lake....

18Aug

By Laura DowseNo Comments

Opinion

Post Exam Stress Trauma

Congratulations! You made it. You survived. You can finally say that exams are over. Depending on your personal revision style, the months, weeks or days of revising have come to an end. But what happens now? It is likely that you could experience some form of ‘Post Exam Stress Trauma’, and I’d like to offer some support during this potentially confusing time in your life. You’re about to go through many changes, and I don’t want you to be scared. Whilst I am not a doctor or medical professional, I want to use my personal experience to help you through this. Exams may be over, but your journey is not. During the first stage of the disorder, you are likely to experience emotions that can only be described as joy, ecstasy and pure relief. Regardless of your future grades, the soul-dest...