[BrittanyAnn2609]

Hi all,

I'm struggling right now. I'm so stressed out about school---I have about 6 weeks left and all the time crunches with last exams, final projects, and papers.. It almost seems like too much to handle. I admit I've been pretty bad at keeping up with my schoolwork lately. I didn't do any homework this weekend. I have 3 exams this week (one for my online class that I have to do sometime before Friday, one on Tuesday for which I haven't started the study guide yet (:/) and one on Thursday that I'm making up from when I was sick that the class took over a week ago and I still haven't been preparing for it) I also have a final project due APril 11, that I'm stressing about. I'm getting good grades right now (2 A's and 2 A-'s) but I feel hopeless for some reason. I can't get motivated enough to get stuff done and actually study. I'm going up and down from being okay, to being depressed multiple times in the day/week. My mind is so negative and I can't seem to get out of the rut. I see my therapist and pdoc this week so I'm hoping something happens to help me get better. I just have so much anticipatory anxiety and stress for the next month. How can you guys focus on something (like an assignment in the moment) and not let your mind race about everything? I took one of my hydroxyzine pills, but mainly I just want to waste away and watch tv and not think, or go lay down. it sucks Idk what to do. Any advice on how to help my racing thoughts about future stresses and my fears of failing? How to get through right here right now? Focus on one thing at a time... I'm struggling.

Thanks,
Brittany

[ChrizBolez]

You certainly have a lot on your plate and deadlines to meet. These thoughts you have of preemptive failure feed off of your current inactivity. Once you find the will to defy the negativity and turn the first page the rest should guide you. Another mistake is not breaking the challenge down into digestible parts respective of any time frame. School was always a daunting 8 hours for me as a kid. Constant counting down of the clock while growing more and more impatient. Eventually I found that by cutting the 8 hours to two 4 hour sessions I felt less threatened and more accomplished once the first half of the day was done. It was still 8 hours of schooling of course, but by changing my perception of time (challenge) I could mentally tackle the day. I would recommend this in your case as well. Maintain a decent work rate, but structurally cut your perception of it in half. After you've completed half you should feel confident enough in victory to go another round. This strategy has worked for me and feel strongly enough to extend it to others. Results may vary of course.

[BrittanyAnn2609]

Originally Posted by ChrizBolez

You certainly have a lot on your plate and deadlines to meet. These thoughts you have of preemptive failure feed off of your current inactivity. Once you find the will to defy the negativity and turn the first page the rest should guide you. Another mistake is not breaking the challenge down into digestible parts respective of any time frame. School was always a daunting 8 hours for me as a kid. Constant counting down of the clock while growing more and more impatient. Eventually I found that by cutting the 8 hours to two 4 hour sessions I felt less threatened and more accomplished once the first half of the day was done. It was still 8 hours of schooling of course, but by changing my perception of time (challenge) I could mentally tackle the day. I would recommend this in your case as well. Maintain a decent work rate, but structurally cut your perception of it in half. After you've completed half you should feel confident enough in victory to go another round. This strategy has worked for me and feel strongly enough to extend it to others. Results may vary of course.

Thanks for your advice. It's difficult though because I'm in college, my last full semester, and time isn't really scheduled that way for me. All I'm doing is being in school though, so I don't know why it's seeming so difficult for me to get things done.

[ChrizBolez]

You sound like someone who is simply burned out from the stress. It's not uncommon, especially for college students. This is something I'd mention to your doctor as it could be related to any medications you're currently taking as well. In the meantime maybe try meditation or going for a walk to clear your head. If your environment is not suitable for studying due to noise or interruption move to a campus library perhaps? Just throwing out some options, but hope something proves useful. Take care and good luck!

[Sunflower123]

I feel for you. I worked full-time and went to college full-time and the stress feels like it will rip you apart especially if you feel unmotivated. My daughter is a senior in high school and she's going through a situation very similar to yours. You're not alone. Take it easy and just one baby step at a time. Hugs and best wishes coming your way.