Many of us are returning from a much-needed Thanksgiving break with a full belly and many deadlines to catch up on as we approach the final week of the quarter! Learning to cope with stress is crucial to surviving finals week at UCR, especially in the hybrid era. As current graduate students, not only do we have our final exams, papers, and presentations to complete, but we also need to manage our workload as TAs and balance other academic/non-academic responsibilities. Here are five steps to cope with stress and make this quarter (and the quarters following) the best yet!

Step 1: Identify stress. 

Stress is how your body and mind react to the world's demands and identifying what triggers your stress could help you start managing stress effectively. What has caused you stress? Are your stressors external exasperations, such as life changes, environment, or unpredictable events, or are they internal irritations, such as fear of failing an exam or lack of control over certain situations? Once you identify the problem, you can create a plan to minimize it or even eliminate it. 

Step 2: Make a list!

[Image Description: A to do list that says wake up, make coffee, drink coffee, and make more coffee]

Pictured: Crossing off items on a to-do list has never been more satisfying!

By making a to-do list, you transfer what has weighed on your mind onto a piece of paper! A to-do list helps you stay organized because now all your responsibilities and obligations in the final week are visible. You can start to cross them off as you complete each one. To make it more fun, reward yourself every time you cross off a task on your list!

Step 3: Communicate and ask for support. 

You are not the only one going through a stressful week; your peers are also going through it! Communicating with your classmates, peers, and cohorts could make you feel less isolated and more supported in the community. In addition, the university is not here to make your life more difficult but to support you! In GradSuccess, we have the Graduate Student Mentorship Program (https://gradmentors.ucr.edu/) to pair incoming graduate students with peer and faculty mentors to provide support and resources. We also have Graduate Writing Center (https://gwc.ucr.edu/) and GradQuant (https://gradquant.ucr.edu/) to offer more specific support in writing, computer programming, and digital research methods. Communicate what you need and ask for support when you need it!

Step 4: Take a break. 

[Image Description: A cartoon dog inhaling some fresh air]

Pictured: Take a break with nature!

It is easy to get consumed by all the work you have to do, and taking a break sometimes feels like a crime. But that is not true. Working and schooling in the hybrid era are difficult enough as it is, and you could quickly burn out without taking a break. As campus starts reopening, many of us have an in-person and remote class and work schedule. Taking a break is essential to keep us stay productive and sane. Simply getting some fresh air can give you a sense of clarity during the final week. 

Step 5: Meditate and practice gratitude. 

Meditating and practicing gratitude helps us affirm all the good things we are receiving and acknowledge the goodness provided by other people. It is critical for us to remember a final grade does not fully define us and be thankful for our experiences.