Stress Management Situational Stress 6 Tips to Help Your Stressed Out College Kid By Jackie Burrell Jackie Burrell Jackie Burrell is a former education and parenting reporter, experienced in issues around parenting young adults as a mother of four. Learn about our editorial process Updated on December 07, 2020 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Ann-Louise T. Lockhart, PsyD, ABPP Medically reviewed by Ann-Louise T. Lockhart, PsyD, ABPP Facebook LinkedIn Ann-Louise T. Lockhart, PsyD, ABPP, is a board-certified pediatric psychologist, parent coach, author, speaker, and owner of A New Day Pediatric Psychology, PLLC. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print As parents of young adults, we’re all too familiar with stress, but our kids suffer from it too. Stress rates among teens and young adults have spiked in recent years and it's no wonder. Junior and senior year of high school and the lead-up to college applications are prime time for stress overload. So are the first few weeks of college, the weeks of midterms and lead-up to final exams. There may be a day or two of stresslessness in there somewhere, but who can tell? When that late night phone call comes from a child who’s freaking out, the last thing they want to hear is a lecture on the importance of doing your homework and planning ahead. Instead, here's a list of things you can advise that may offer immediate relief: Sleep Cutting back on sleep may seem like a good way to sneak in a few more hours for exam cramming, but missing even a few hours of sleep two or more nights in a row can result in sleep deprivation. Concentration drops, memory function is impaired, and the brain turns foggy and sluggish – hardly the optimal conditions for studying. There’s a clear connection between the amount of sleep a student gets and his GPA, and studies have shown that morning owls perform better academically. So tell your frantic child to set the alarm for 7 a.m., plan on doing some hardcore – and vastly refreshed – studying then and get some sleep now. Make a List If thoughts are racing through your child’s brain with such velocity that he can’t sleep, tell him to make a list. We’d all love to have a Pensieve, the magical basin Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore used to hold memories and thoughts when they threatened to overwhelm his brain, but a to-do list works nearly as well. Eat Well Brains need nourishment. Eating a balanced diet that’s heavy in protein and complex carbohydrates, as opposed to donuts, beer, and someone else’s Ritalin, makes a huge difference in one’s body’s ability to cope with stress and perform well. Keep that in mind when sending your college child an exam week care package too. Prioritize Tell him to work on the most critical or difficult courses or projects first, when his brain is fresh. Too much work? Tell him to look at his schedule and eliminate the non-essentials. Remind him that the world will not stop if he tanks a test. Try a Study Group Studying with a group quells panic. It lets students play to their own strengths, and maximizes and organizes study time. Plus, the companionship helps soothe frayed nerves. Take Breaks Go for a run, take a nap—but no more than 20 to 30 minutes and no later than mid-afternoon. Make an exam worry doll and let it do the worrying. By Jackie Burrell Jackie Burrell is a former education and parenting reporter, experienced in issues around parenting young adults as a mother of four. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Speak to a Therapist for Stress Management Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.