5 Totally Doable Ways to Manage Stress in College

It’s 7 pm. That essay is finally submitted, and classes for the day are over and done with. You ATE today (like you always do) so it’s time to unwind by endlessly scrolling on TikTok, right? It’s your birthright at this point.

Then you wake up still feeling stressed from yesterday, and not just because you slept at 2 AM but because of TikTok. This is definitely not how to deal with school stress and anxiety.

We've all been there. Scrolling on TikTok isn't bad, but let's be real, college is tough and we need destressing methods after classes that actually work. Doom scrolling is not part of the list, I fear. TikTok’s getting banned anyway so you really need new ways to cope other than being chronically online.

Here are some alternative stress management techniques for college students that don't include rotting in bed:

1. Actually Getting Off TikTok

Well of course you're gonna have to get off TikTok for the rest of these tips to work. Not permanently, of course! Just set a healthy limit on your scrolling. Quitting cold turkey is just going to make you want to come back, almost like chasing after your situationship who ghosted you, so let’s not do that.

You need to set some ground rules for yourself. Try a TikTok timer, maybe 10-15 minutes max. Or see what your screen time on the app is and set the limit to half that.

Or, you can even do a scroll count, like doing only three scrolls before you exit the app. It's all about finding your ideal screen time management method.

Here’s a genius tip: switch your phone to black-and-white mode. On your iPhone, Go to Settings > Accessibility > > Display & Text Size > Color Filters > Toggle Color Filters On > Tap Grayscale. 

Sounds crazy, but trust the process. No more color = way less tempting to just keep scrolling. You’ll want to do something else after this.

2. Calling a Friend or a Loved One

TikTok can give you a false sense of social interaction. But nothing beats the real thing. The best way to destress, sometimes, is to talk to people you love. 

Try hitting up your best friend on FaceTime. It's so easy to just complain about how stressed you are, but switch it up after! Ask them about their day, their classes, and what they’re excited about. 

It's also nice to be there for them. You’ll see how getting lost in someone else's world, sharing your struggles, or even relating to others’ stress can help eliminate the heaviness you feel. This is your hopecore moment.

PS: Check with your friends or loved ones first before you start mild traumadumping. They may not have the right mental bandwidth to hear about someone else’s stress at the moment or may need to consider if they can spare you some spoons. Asking is caring!

3. Going For a Walk

Don’t sleep on this. Got any green space on campus, even just a tiny patch of grass? You need to use it. A nearby park is even better. And if not, just wander around campus. 

A lot of college students underestimate how helpful going for a walk can be to unwind. According to years of backed research and this paper by the National Library of Medicine, it's one of the best ways to really help students clear their head and feel less overwhelmed. You get your steps in and you don't have to think about anything — it's basically free therapy. 

Just don’t do it at like 1 am or something. Looking at you, BookTok girlies!!!

4. Treating Yourself to Your Favorite Snack

I'm obsessed with grabbing an iced chai when I need a break. It's not even the drink, it's the whole ritual – the walk, the drive, the anticipation. That first sip is a pure "yes, I deserve this" moment. It doesn't have to be iced chai; any treat that makes you feel good can work. 

Rewarding yourself is essential for surviving college. When you’re having a stressful day, you know that that bussin’ snack is always waiting on the other side. Like, if you don't treat yourself, who will? Plus points if you can make the snack yourself or convince a friend to munch with you!

5. Crossing Off That Quick Chore

Okay it sounds counterintuitive to add more to your plate when you're trying to chill, BUT hear me out: that quick task you’ve been avoiding is probably adding to your stress. 

That eyesore pile of laundry you needed to fold, the email you keep forgetting to send to your prof, taking out the overflowing trash bag, texting your groupmates to put their slides in before Friday. These are things living in your head rent-free and most likely draining your mental battery. 

The physical act of clearing things or getting something small done helps your brain take the edge off. Studies by Sarah Davis show that finishing tasks kick off a dopamine release in the brain, which sparks a cycle of feeling good, having fun, and staying motivated. Nobody said you have to start your other errands in a Very Specific Order unless they’re time-bound, right?

There are many other healthy coping mechanisms for college stress you can also try. These five tips are just the start and you’ll eventually find what works best for you. It will take some getting used to, but your brain will be grateful. Your phone battery will, too.