The Stresses of Second Year

Christmas deadlines are upon us and the last few weeks of the university term are rolling in. Where did that time go?!?

I can still remember clear as day, sitting in the library in August contemplating whether to start this blog and yet December is TOMORROW. Where’s Hermione’s time-turner when you need it?

I knew second year would be harder than first year but I didn’t realise how much harder it would be. Although if I was to compare myself to the me of this time last year, I had no job, little assignments and no placements to seek. Whereas at this moment in time I don’t know whether I’m coming or going. I currently have two jobs that take up a lot of my time, two exams to study for that are taking place next week and two essays to write that are also due next week. Oh and did I mention I’m travelling to London tomorrow for a placement interview on Friday??

Where does sleep fit in? Eating healthy and exercising? Well they’re out the window. Although they’ve really been out the window for a very long time now.

It’s now gotten to the stage that I’m so stressed, I’ve bypassed worrying and feel weirdly relaxed. Which is starting to worry me. See? A never ending cycle of worry, stress and anxiety.

I thought since it’s coming up to the best time of the year – my room is decorated top to bottom, (priorities) – and everyone will have deadlines coming up and exam stress that I’d write a post on how to deal with stresses and regain that peaceful harmonious mind-set of having little to no worries. Namaste.

Get your priorities in order

So you have a long list of things to do; events coming up, people to see, presents to buy etc. oh and exams, yes, how could I forget? I find it quite helpful to write everything down on paper along with the dates so that I can reorder them in chronological order. This allows me to see which exam/essay is due and when, so that I can get working on the most important ones which are usually the ones dated in the near future.

Schedule your day

From my last post about how successful people do mornings, I discovered that Benjamin Franklin had his day scheduled to the hour so that he could be most productive and also have time for his own relaxation and family time. Be like Benji and schedule your day, listing the most important tasks first. Another reference to my last post, ‘Eat the frog first’. Check out my last post if you don’t know what I’m talking about. I promise I’m not a weird person encouraging you to eat frogs for breakfast.

Be productive!

You’ll only become more and more stressed if you waste your time being unproductive when you could’ve had 1000 words of your essay completed. Phones are a distraction, I know this myself. I could spend hours scrolling through all of my social media channels but how is that helping your list of tasks? You can keep up with Kylie Jenner realising things once a few items are ticked off your list. Shopping sites count too! Although ‘Black Friday Sales’ seemed to somehow creep up to the top of my priorities list last week… don’t know how that happened.

Seek counsel

If the stress is getting too much, talk to someone. As they say, a problem shared is a problem halved. You’ll feel like a weight has been lifted off of your shoulders once you’ve stressed about how stressed you are. Talk to your lecturers and let them know if you have too much going on and some of them may be lenient and give you an extension.

Cut back on your activities

Doing too much will only run you into the ground and you’ll eventually burnout. I’m nearing exhaustion with each passing hour. If you’re doing too much, your body will tell you. If you need those extra few hours in bed, take them. Your health is most important. Just think, only a few weeks to go and it will all be over and you’ll be able to lie up, eat as many mince pies as you like and have Home Alone marathons. YOU CAN DO IT.

Relaxation and breathing exercises

If you’re prone to panic attacks or anxiety, doing breathing exercises may help. Try not to get too worked up about the future and don’t focus on the negative ‘what if’s’. Take each day as it comes and everything will work out. Work your hardest and everything will turn out fine. Look for ‘stress-busting’ or relaxation playlists on Spotify to help calm you. Breathe.

 

I am beyond excited to be travelling down to London tomorrow! Even though I have 101 other things racing through my mind, I need to focus on this interview and smash it out of the park. Work hard!