School is seen as a way to prepare for the future and gain knowledge, but right now, the pressure to succeed at school is straining other parts of my life.
The assignments and never-ending stream of studying makes it feel impossible to have a life outside of school. Balancing aspects of my life has pulled me in so many directions that I have had to figure out what matters most, so I can focus on what needs to be done or maintained.
This strategy of focusing on the most important assignments and aspects of life, has allowed me to manage both my stress and anxiety. Still, it can leave me physically and mentally exhausted if I don't take breaks.
One thing I have found through talking with my professors and friends is that life is full of a crisis of urgency: everything seems to have to be done immediately. This sense of urgency has seeped into every aspect of life; students naturally want to do well on assignments and exams, so we start studying as soon as possible. If we leave things to the last minute, as many of my peers and I do, the anxiety of looming exams and assignments becomes so overwhelming that we struggle to cope or even start.
Urgency creates its own anxiety, making us feel like any time we spend not being productive is a waste, and if we start something but don’t finish it, the anxiety can build. When I work on one assignment, I can still feel urgent pressure to work on other assignments I have been given. The compounding forms of urgency and anxiety can build up and affect my day to day life.
Dealing with the anxiety of school is something I am still trying to figure out.
While it may sound too simple or basic, my most fundamental strategy is to focus on the most important or ‘urgent’ thing first. Learning what to focus on takes time and practice, and I find it depends on the scenario.
Determining what's most important depends on the individual, but this is my strategy for figuring out how to rank my priorities:
First, I look at my commitments and whether I can move or change them. I always start with my job and school; I know I can't move these commitments and that they're the most important for me to attend.
Once I have created my schedule of ‘free time’, I look at upcoming assignments and exams. The most basic way to do this is to use a calendar and put in the due dates for everything. Completing what is due first helps me, but I also consider the importance of assignments compared with other assignments and exams due around the same time.
Once I know what needs to be done and in what order, I think about how to fit them into my free time and estimate how long they will take. While I don't count every hour a task will take, I set aside time for it; if I finish early, I either relax to avoid burnout and exhaustion or move on to the next task.
One thing I have found necessary for myself, and others, is getting enough rest. This mainly involves getting enough sleep, but it also means having free time to wind down. I personally watch shows or do art; this prevents the burnout and exhaustion that can come with school and life in general. I also spend quality time with my friends and family during the stressful back to school period, but I recognize I also need time alone to properly relax.
The ability to control my feelings over the urgency of life is something that I am continually working on. But I have found that by breaking life into smaller segments, the anxiety that comes with schoolwork becomes manageable.
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