How can I study for my ROTC Inspection when I'm really stressed out?

Rather than learning ways to study when you’re stressed, try learning ways to unstress - to relax and center yourself.

Focus on the things you can affect (as you’re doing when you ask this question), not on what you can’t change.

Reframe your scary thoughts about it in a positive way: What might go well? What is there in it to be grateful for? How can the challenge aid you in the goals that motivated you to join ROTC in the first place?

Find the humor in it. (When this D.I. gets all in your face screaming lies at you, it’s not really about you at all. Ever seen any dumb military sitcoms? But you might not want to actually laugh out loud {;^) )

Plan ahead, write down a to-do list, and make all your preparations well in advance.

Break your study material up into manageable sections and schedule when you’re going to study each section.

If you have other time-consuming obligations, like at home, ask someone to cover for you if you’ll repay them later.

Take breaks from your studying for physical activity, and to eat healthy foods (lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes, not refined, sweetened, salty, or fatty foods), and to listen to a few minutes of your favorite cello music.

Make sure you get enough sleep and a good healthy breakfast.

When you feel stressed out, irritated, or angry, try any of these:

In a relaxed and still position, take a series of 10 long, slow, deep breaths, emptying your lungs thoroughly when you exhale.

Same position, eyes closed, do an internal “scan” of your whole body, bit by bit, from top to bottom (or vice versa), sensing how each part of you feels and relaxing it, one at a time. If it helps, tighten a muscle first and then relax it.

Think of your favorite pleasant, peaceful place to be - a beach, a meadow, a forest, the ocean floor, soaring above the clouds, wherever. Close your eyes and “be” in that setting for 30 seconds, or five minutes.

If you know any (other) meditation techniques, use them. If not, learn one or two simple ones. Like this: http://funadvice.com/r/15g9egnb5en

Go get ‘em, Amber! {:^D