My senior year really kicked off with a slap in the face. I started off the summer confident and excited for my final year, but as it came closer and the responsibilities started piling up I became more anxious. It first started off with my executive position that forced me to interact with people over email and discuss a semester that I hadn’t started yet. Then the anxiety sat and grew as I accepted my third job for the semester. It really began to make itself at home when I began training for my third job and learned all my responsibilities. I have to coach and mentor a group of students and remind them of their student responsibilities while being a student myself.
Then the anxiety began to pack up when I got excited and packed for school. I bought my planner, wall calendar, binder for work, and was ready to start the semester. We were supposed to leave home Saturday for me to have a day to unpack and unwind, but I was too nice to enforce it, so the time and day kept getting pushed and pushed. Once it was Saturday I was adamant on leaving and had everything ready to go into the car, but they weren’t ready, they wanted to start drama and I wanted to just leave. I was stuck at home, alone, while everyone else was having fun and enjoying themselves. That was how my semester started, a quiet trip Sunday full of resentment. Finally on campus, with anxiety one leg out the door, I was again ready to start my semester and excited about my three jobs. Then Monday came and it felt like it would never end. Anxiety came back full swing with its family and even inviting its friend, panic attack. The week flew by like Miles Morales’ in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse where his day was just class and books, class and more books, and more books. It was only the first week but my room and apartment had not been set up yet, my planner was not ready and I have not read the syllabi.
Sunday night, I confronted my anxiety and kicked it out and swept the place clean. I had help to organize my life, I updated my calendars (emphasis on the “s”), and I had a plan. I became friends with anxiety and kept it dormant and I am surviving senior year. I made a plan and I am trying my best to stick with it. I am beating procrastination and I am working hard because I am smart, kind, and important. I don’t know where this originated, but a FIG mentor had told me this freshman year and I use it to motivate myself! It’s going to be tough, it’s going to feel like a train is constantly running you over, but you will get through it because you can and you are strong! Let’s get it!!
For tips on how to destress, check out our articles here:
“How to Make a Bullet Journal” – https://www.hercampus.com/school/dickinson/how-make-bullet-journal
“4 Apps for Helping Survive College” –
https://www.hercampus.com/school/dickinson/4-apps-help-you-survive-college
“5 Tips for Self Care” –
https://www.hercampus.com/school/dickinson/5-tips-self-care