3 Ways to Manage School-Related Anxiety

Take a deep breath and let us help.

This article was written by Zainab Damji, a Ryerson University student.

University is said to be the best four years of your life. More often than not, that rings true for most people. It’s a time when you get to live with your best friends, be independent and discover who you are while doing what you love. However, amidst all that greatness - it’s easy to get overwhelmed, stressed out and anxious from time to time. But if you set healthy habits in place, it can help alleviate some of the intense feelings you have! Here’s a list of practices to incorporate in your daily university life for better mental health.

1. Set (realistic) expectations

If you’ve got a ton of homework, a pop quiz, and an event you need to attend, make sure you’re setting realistic goals for yourself throughout the week. Almost every other day during your university life will look different and with most of them being pretty jam-packed, it’s important that you don’t burn yourself out. Set realistic expectations for yourself to ensure that you get your work done without being completely exhausted after!

2. Figure out coping mechanisms that work for you

What calms you down? What makes you feel happy and serene and at peace? Whatever that is, hold on to it. University life is quite different from high school life and the best way to cope with change is by having healthy mechanisms to help you stay grounded and calm. Think about what helps you feel better when you’re down and ensure that you keep it in mind if you ever find yourself getting worked up. Here are some of my coping mechanisms to help you get the ball rolling: going for a spin class, reading and taking a walk!

3. Learn to ask for help

Asking for help can be hard. Maybe you don’t want to seem like you can’t handle it or perhaps you might just not know how to! But one of the biggest things I’ve learned in university is that everybody is always willing to help. Your professors, your boss, your RA - everyone just wants to help you be the best you can be. Whether you need help with an assignment, need more time with an assigned task or you’re homesick, reach out to someone! Chances are, you’ll feel a lot better after sharing the burden on your shoulders with someone else.

University is all about learning, growing, and adapting. It may not be what you’re used to, but change can be a good thing if you let it be! Remember to put your mental health first and take care of yourself, and the rest will work out just fine. Good luck!