As students are being asked to do more, there is a pressure to handle more and more tasks. That pressure can lead to undue stress. Just as their parents suffer from stress in the workplace and at home, students also suffer stress from work, social contacts and family strife. What can students do in order to reduce the deleterious effects of stress in their daily lives?

Students can help to reduce the likelihood of stress occurring by following these simple rules:

Know your learning style; are you a visual learner, or a kinesthetic or auditory learner? Adjust your study habits so that you are accommodating your learning style.

Create a study friendly environment in your room or other place where you normally study. Make use of aromatherapy, soothing music and keep distractions away.

Learn to manage your time by staying organized and on schedule. Use a day planner, or electronic calendar to keep track of due dates and special assignments. Plan study times throughout the week.

Visualize yourself achieving your school goals. Take a few moments each day to make a mental image of how you will look and feel when you achieve a certain school goal.

Develop positive habits. Learn how to think in positive terms about self-image. Learn how to accept failure as a learning tool that will increase your likelihood of future success.

What other measures can you take? Remember that sleep is your friend; do not cheat yourself of something that is beneficial to your well being. Planning study time and sticking to your plan will leave you the required time to sleep. Those individuals who are sleep-deprived have more trouble learning facts, and have difficulty remembering them. Those who do not get enough sleep, perform poorly. If possible, take afternoon naps to help you stay fresh and alert especially when dealing with extra assignments or a heavy schedule.

Stress that is chronic can actually affect your ability to learn and to remember facts. Learning how to manage stress is an important school tool. Learn and practice good study skills right from the start. If you are prepared for class, you will not be as stressed as someone who is unprepared.

Stress is dissipated if you share your duties with friends. Take advantage of any mentoring, tutoring or study groups offered by your school. Ask friends to study together or compare notes from class. Make sure study groups do not turn into parties. Leave the fun and games for celebrating after the grades are won.

You need physical activity, healthy meals and snacks and plenty of sleep in order to do well in school. When you lack in any of these areas, you can become stressed. Make sure you are exercising on a regular basis, are eating the proper amounts of fruits, vegetables and dairy for your age groups, and get at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night.