Finding and sticking to a routine is something that helps me feel more organized, comfortable, and confident in my success. It helps me to manage my day, to make sure my homework is done on time, to make sure I get to class on time, etc. Finding this routine, however, is not as easy as I would like it to be. One of my biggest academic stressors is finding this routine and sticking to it. The worst time for me during the academic year is the very beginning of each semester. There are new classes I have to learn the location of and a class schedule I have to stick to. This means I have to plan my day around how long it takes me to get to class if I have time to go back to my dorm or not, and if I even have time to get from class to class; I have a habit of signing up for eighteen credits a semester, and all the classes are ten minutes apart from each other, and they’re on different sides of campus.
Another one of my academic stressors is balancing work and my academic life. I need to work enough hours that I can afford to live and feed myself, but I also need to make sure I’m giving myself enough time to complete homework and study. On top of that all, I also need to make room for myself and my social life, because without it I go a bit stir-crazy! I work for the events crew, so it’s an on-campus job, and I can’t go over twenty-five hours, so I do, in theory, have enough time for everything even if I work the full twenty-five hours. But I always try to work a little under just to give myself extra time. I know
that my boss and professors would more than likely accommodate one or the other if I need to. But it stresses me out to the point I get sick if I miss too many classes or too many assignments, and even if I don’t work enough! Balancing all these things can get overwhelming very fast, and then I feel like I don’t even enjoy it when I’m making time for myself because I’m just stressed out about how much time I have for other things!
I 100% agree with you, balancing everything is extremely stressful! Especially at the beginning of the semester, when the workload and routine is unfamiliar. As the semester goes on, it gets easier to balance my plate, but only because I’ve gotten used to it. 🦈
I love your post!! you’re doing great and I think you definitely need a relaxing nice day off, keep up the good work it will all pay off soon.
The tunnels, if you can navigate them, are very useful for getting across campus quickly. When it comes to balancing work, I try to only work weekends by working doubles Friday – Sunday and getting all my studying and schoolwork done Monday – Thursday but I know that can be even more stressful. Once you find a schedule that works for you the stress does go away a little.