As students, we all know the feeling of being overwhelmed by a large amount of homework and studying while simultaneously balancing a social life with family and friends. It is very common amongst young people to stay up late at night to finish that one assignment which is due the next morning or to study some more for that one test. However, not every person is able to do that. It is very energy draining, physically and mentally, as you are working to your maximum capacity. I believe that this feeling is not very enjoyable and might also lead to an increase in daily stress levels. What you are probably wondering now is: Well, what am I supposed to do instead? 

Personally, something that has always helped me to feel more balanced and mindful in times of academic stress is finding appreciation in simple things in your life. This might sound a little cheesy at first, but once you gain understanding of what you can control , things will change for the better. Of course, there is no secret key to happiness or eradicating stress, however it is the small steps which you can take to create a better, healthier and more comfortable situation. 

When we wake up in the morning, the first thing that comes to our mind might be the school work that we have to finish. This happens to me very often, especially on the weekends when we are actually supposed to take a little break from school work. Starting your morning thinking about work might not be the best way to start your day. So instead, think about three things that you are grateful for. Whether it is a family member, a friend or even something simple like having access to clean water. Thinking about something that makes you feel grateful will not only increase your happiness in that moment but you can also recall that thought at any time throughout your day to remind yourself of how it made you feel. The great thing about this is that you do not necessarily need a journal or an app to do this. It is simply the power of your thoughts which can shift everything for the better.

Mindfulness and being present in the moment is something that one needs to learn and practice in order for it to have a positive effect in your life. Instead of complaining about school or how many assignments you have at the moment, take a minute to appreciate the privilege of being able to attend a great school and learning something new each day. Everything in life can be seen as an opportunity when we decide to appreciate the simple things and embrace them, eventually attracting new opportunities in our lives.