Helpful advice for managing stress
Stress is a normal part of student life, but that doesn't make it easy to deal with. Exam pressure, a heavy workload, financial worry, and the constant pull of social media and comparison can all contribute to stress. It's completely understandable if it sometimes feels like a lot.
Our student support services are here whenever you would like advice or guidance. It's useful to know what support is available.
The scale of the issue is well documented. A 2024 report cited by the House of Commons Library found that over 60% of higher education students reported high levels of stress, anxiety or depression. Mind's 2025 Care Before Crisis report found that mental health had affected the school or college attendance of nearly half of the young people surveyed. The report also stated that more than half a million young people were waiting for support. Academic pressure is widely associated with student wellbeing. Recent research has identified a link between academic pressure and an increased risk of depression among teenagers.
Whatever is contributing to your stress right now, you're not alone in feeling it, and there are genuinely effective ways to manage it. Here's our updated advice for 2026.
Managing your workload
Feeling overwhelmed is often caused by having a busy workload with no clear sense of where to start. A simple to-do list, ranked by what matters most, can make a busy workload feel structured again. Writing everything down, even the small things, also frees up mental energy you'd otherwise spend trying to remember it all.
It's also worth tackling your biggest or most difficult task first, rather than saving it for later. Most procrastination comes from dreading a task rather than the task itself being unmanageable. Starting a challenging task early can make it feel more manageable. Once you begin, you may find it easier to build momentum and move on to your remaining tasks.
Breaking large tasks into smaller, specific steps can make them easier to approach. If you are preparing for exams, start early and build a routine that works for you.
Taking time to recalibrate
It's easy to assume that working constantly is the most productive approach, but the evidence says otherwise. Taking regular breaks, getting enough sleep, staying hydrated and making time for friends or exercise supports your ability to concentrate and retain information. Working longer hours without proper rest tends to produce diminishing returns and can leave you feeling like you've achieved less despite putting in more time.
NHS guidance recommends five steps to support mental wellbeing. These are connecting with others, being physically active, learning new skills, giving to others and practising mindfulness. These steps do not require major lifestyle changes. Short, regular moments of connection or activity can still be beneficial.
If you're studying for long stretches, build breaks into your schedule rather than waiting until you feel like you need one. Planned breaks can help you maintain your concentration throughout a study session.
Staying motivated
It's normal for motivation to dip, particularly during the darker winter months or in the run-up to deadlines and exams. A consistent sleeping and waking routine can support your body clock and energy levels.
One current pressure worth naming directly is social media. Constant exposure to other people's curated achievements can make you compare yourself to them. Social media is just a snapshot of other learners’ experiences. Your own progress is what’s most important. Pay attention to how you feel after spending time online. During busy periods or when you’re feeling under pressure, setting boundaries around social media can help you stay focused.
Make time for the things that recharge you. That could be spending time with people you care about, getting outside, or enjoying a hobby away from your studies. Rest isn't a reward for finishing your work; it's part of what makes finishing your work possible.
Managing pressure
Try not to spend energy worrying about things outside your control or comparing your progress to other people's. Everyone's circumstances, workload and pace are different. Comparisons rarely show the full picture. Worries that feel bigger in the moment often feel much less intense once you write them down or talk them through with someone.
Creative activities that fully absorb your attention can feel restorative and give your mind a break from focused study. You could try music, art, cooking, sport or another activity you enjoy. TMC's clubs and societies offer plenty of options if you're looking for a new outlet. Even twenty minutes of something you enjoy can help you return to your work with more clarity.
Building and maintaining a support network matters too. This might include friends, family, tutors or professional support. You don't need to wait until things feel unmanageable; you can reach out at any time. Talking something through with someone else can give a fresh perspective or new options. According to research from the House of Commons Library, students from disadvantaged backgrounds and those who are international, mature, neurodiverse or LGBTQ+ are more likely to experience mental health difficulties. If any of that applies to you, please know that support is there and reaching out early is a strength, not a weakness.
Our enrichment programme runs clubs and activities across every campus, from creative groups to peer support initiatives, including a student-led Mental Health Champions Group set up in partnership with YMCA Manchester.
We're here to help
Whatever you're facing, confidential support is available both on campus and through local and national services.
Get in touch with a member of our team if you have any other questions.
Remember, managing stress isn't about eliminating it altogether. It's about building habits and a support network that help you handle it when it shows up, so it doesn't stop you from doing the things that matter to you.