Tips to avoid drowning in oversaturation

“…my spirit's bark is driven,
Far from the shore, far from the trembling throng” Shelley, Percy Bysshe. Adonais. 1821.

Papers, exams, sports, weekly grocery shopping, assignments, social media, expectations, presentations — the list seems endless. Navigating your life as a student in 2024 can be jarring, especially for exchange students living away from home for the first time. We are not just juggling university but also balancing our social and personal lives. The noise can become too much pretty easily. Luckily for us, there are simple solutions for everything! Grab a pen and a notebook (not your phone) and weigh anchor.

When you are overwhelmed by piled-up assignments, have spent too long in the library to the point of feeling cramped, or are overstimulated by social media, take a moment to move your body! You do not need to run a 10K or break into a flashmob (though a little dance break never hurt anybody): simply stretch, take a walk or even leave your seat to go grab a coffee and let the racing thoughts slow down. While you are at it, benefit from a mental scan: Are you feeling any tension? Does your chest feel tight? Why might that be? Get in touch with your body and your mind to regain control.

As a literature student, I may be biased, but my next tip is: Write, write, write! I’m not talking about a 600-page novel (that would probably add to your stress), but a simple journal entry can do wonders. Two helpful prompts: "What is my favourite part of the day?" Once you know what it is, make sure you never go a day without it; "Are there any thoughts keeping me awake at night?" Writing them down helps to quiet them. If you don’t feel like journaling, try a to-do list as it will keep your obligations on paper instead of swirling in your head.

Finally, touch grass — literally. Take advantage of Utrecht’s many parks (The Botanical Gardens, Wilhelmina or Griftpack, just to name a few) and merely stroll or sit and enjoy the sun (or shade) for a while. If the weather allows it, enjoy a nice picnic with friends, create a scrapbook page using fallen leaves, go on a bike ride to clear your head or sketch some plants! If your weekends are filled with assignments and your head needs a break, visit the flower market in the city centre and bring some of the greenery into your space.

Don’t forget to breathe and take care of yourself.