How to Avoid College Overwhelm

Does this look familiar? Photo: Casey Serin

As we listen to what university students are facing today, probably the most common things we hear is college overwhelm. If you’re falling behind with all your assignments and feeling overloaded with responsibilities and expectations, you’re experiencing college overwhelm. If this sounds familiar, to you, below are great tips on the way to avoid becoming overwhelmed.

1. Structure your time. After 12 years of structured school, trying to proactively schedule study time is usually overwhelming to freshmen students, reports Dartmouth University. Having a calendar or your cell phone, put your classes on the calendar and be certain to block out time for work and play. Some experts report that creating a list of what you ought to accomplish the next day before going to sleep will assist you to mentally organize your day while you sleep.

2. De-stress. Taking on a physical activity like kickboxing, yoga, or maybe walking can improve your capability to copy with college overwhelm.

3. Allow for flexibility. In case your goal was to finish your project prior to the weekend but it doesn’t happen how you thought it might, be flexible. Its not all things work out just how we plan and assignments may take longer than you expected. Get used to it.

4.Take a break. If you’re burning the candle on both ends and working non-stop, an escape would do you good. Leave the house and breathe some fresh air. Call a friend and laugh at their silly jokes. Go to a pet store and pet the puppies. Even a small break will let you feel refreshed.

5. Don’t overdo it. Typically, 12 credit hours per semester is regarded as full-time, with 18 credits being the maximum. A lot of people will burn out around 18 credits. Consider not all college credits are created alike. That half credit college choir class you thought would be a fun break might end up taking 3 hours/week – a lot more than expected! 

Check out this article for 13 ways to reduce college stress.