Managing stress during school can be a challenge. Between juggling daily life and responsibilities with maintaining a great cumulative GPA, it can be stressful to try to retain detailed information while worrying about the future and living in the moment. If you’re having a hard time in school or don’t seem to be able to manage your studies the way you did in high school, it might be time to look at ways to reduce your stress. The reality is that graduating from an advanced degree program is a huge accomplishment. Getting there might take some extra work and even the help of the professionals. However, it’ll be worth it if you stick to your plan to earn an advanced degree. For ways to manage stress during school, read on.
Seeing a Psychologist
As a student, whether you’re in high school, undergrad, or graduate school, it’s likely you’re juggling a lot. Between service activities, internships, studies, and even the friendships you’re making and maintaining in school, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. If you’re having trouble keeping up your GPA or feeling positive about your education and goals, it could be time to reach out for professional help.
Maybe you’re a student in New York City and are hoping for lifelong success after completing an MBA program but are having problems with social anxiety and class presentations. A simple Google search for psychologists in NYC could be a great first step to overcoming your fears and experiencing less stress in school. With years of experience, a trained counselor can offer tips and tricks for managing things like social anxiety, PTSD, OCD, symptoms of depression, and more. With a good grasp of any mental health issues you may have, you’ll be better able to focus on your classes.
Engaging in Self-care
For some students, their favorite part of school is the breaks. The truth is, taking breaks from school is a great way to reset no matter how much you enjoy your education. Even a fantastic national honor society student needs time off to disconnect here and there. If you’re experiencing symptoms of burnout, it’s a good idea to make a list of ways you can spoil yourself during school. For some people, this means taking vacations and trips with friends. For others, it can be as simple as reading or long walks. If you aren’t sure how to take care of yourself, consider talking to your therapist about ways to unwind that might be best for you.
Communicating Needs Clearly
Being clear about your goals and needs during graduate school with your support system and others is important. While the same applies to an undergrad program, graduate students are often in the unique position of having more responsibilities and experiencing higher levels of burnout. Being honest with your partner or family members about what you need to get through school can help. Whether this means asking someone who loves you to help with chores or responsibilities or just giving you time to study in silence, being honest about your needs can help reduce stress in school.
Long after the application process to any degree program, it’s normal to feel a sense of burnout. Being honest with professors about what you’re going through can also help with stress. Asking for extensions and being transparent about struggles as you go can go a long way to feeling less alone in school.
At the end of the day, whether you hope to earn a graduate degree in behavioral therapy or are looking for a bachelor’s degree in psychology to become a counselor, your goals matter. In working with a psychologist with years of experience to manage things like social anxiety, organizational issues, or general stress, you’ll put yourself in the position to get through a difficult time in school. Even better, in fulfilling your promise to yourself to reach your goals, you’ll feel more positive about the future, too. Best of luck to you in your studies. Treat yourself with compassion as you reach for your dreams.
