Picture this: you have a meeting with your advisor because registration for next semester is right around the corner. There’s a club bake sale that you still haven’t decided on what you’re bringing. Not to mention the two evening midterms next week that you need to study for. Somewhere between handling your club responsibilities, cramming for organic chemistry II and hanging out with your friends, there are emotions piling up. Emotions that don’t present themselves until you’ve just gotten home from class and burst into tears right there at the dining table.
You think to yourself, well, I took a break yesterday, so I should be fine. I’ve been maintaining a balance between my work, school and personal life. So how is it that I still feel so lost and out of control? I’m not here to offer a grand solution or life-changing advice, but what I can say is that I get it and here’s what I do to handle it all.
- Have a good cry. Now hear me out! It may seem counterintuitive but getting out all of those heavy feelings in one big well of emotion can actually leave you feeling better. Sure, it comes with puffy eyes and a slightly runny nose, but in a way all the stress that has been building up finally has an outlet and can quite literally spill out of you. These tears leave you feeling lighter, your mind a little clearer and your heart ready to actually look for a solution.
- Talk to someone, anyone. As silly as it may seem, speaking to someone about what’s going on in your head can ease the pressure. Tell a friend, a stranger, or make a voice note that no one ever has to hear. You’ll find that putting what you feel into words can help narrow down what is actually making you feel nervous. You will also find that while talking about what has you worried can often lead to you vocalizing how you plan to handle it. Worried about what classes to take and when? Chatting with a peer in your major might help you figure out the classes that are just right for you and your career path. Stressed about whether or not you’re doing well in school? Talk to a friend that’s seen you through it all. They’ll help you realize that you can overcome this hurdle and are so much stronger than you think.
- Take a mental health day(s). You were so busy meeting deadlines that you forgot to make an appointment with yourself. Sometimes, the best thing you can do for yourself is take a step away from everything. Go see that new holiday movie, sleep in extra late, meet up with that friend you haven’t seen in a hot minute. Take a day or as many as you need to feel like YOU again. Sometimes the best way to manage your problems is to take a step back. You’ll come back with a level head, fresh perspective and the energy to get things done.
There will always be another deadline, another responsibility and another thing to add to your to-do list. Just don’t get so caught up in checking everything off that you forget to check in with yourself.