No matter how laid back or carefree you may be on the regular, everyone experiences the unwelcome feeling that is stress. Whenever the homework or responsibilities start to pile up, you better believe that stress will come knocking on your door. Depending on your workload or general personality, however, you will gradually experience varying degrees of stress. These levels range from:
1. Recognizing that you have a lot of work to accomplish, but choosing to ignore it.
Sure, you've got two papers, a group project and an exam tomorrow, but you can't resist re-watching the entire first season of "Friends."
2. Justifying your decision to ignore your work.
One poor grade isn't actually going to deem you unworthy of future employment, is it? Plus, everyone has room for a few mistakes, and you still haven't made nearly enough.
3. Finally attempting to tackle the source of your anxiety, but then realizing you would probably rather take a nap.
You had motivation for about 10 minutes, but then your bed started calling your name. It's not your fault for succumbing to its calls.
4. Waking up from your nap and trying to resume your work, only to find yourself slacking off again.
Hey, you said you would try to begin your work. Which you did, for 10 minutes. And now you deserve to take a modest, hour-long break.
5. ...But then allowing the reality of the magnitude of your workload to sink in.
Wait. Getting good grades actually is important, isn't it? There's nothing that makes the eyes tear up quite like the impending doom of an "F" adorning the top of your hastily written paper.
6. Starting to worry, but realizing that apparently no one else at the library cares about your concerns.
Just because you're all stuck in the first level of stress doesn't mean that some of us don't want to succeed in life, OK? It's called a "quiet floor" for a reason!
7. Becoming irritated by everyone and everything as your stress levels rise.
Not even your best friends can be pardoned from your wrath. The clock is ticking, and you simply don't have the time or patience for their incessant jabbering.
8. Threatening everyone and everything that distracts you.
You're not a violent person, but your snarky remarks and adrenaline-filled veins indicate otherwise.
9. You've become so stressed that even strangers are beginning to tell you to regain your chill.
Just because you're undergoing an academic crisis doesn't mean that others are, leaving many shocked by your seemingly-crazed behavior.
10. But no matter how stressed you are, you just keep convincing yourself that you're going to ace that paper (and test, and group project...).
Even though right now it seems like your entire academic career is swirling down the drain, you know that you'll come out the other end victorious. After all, you're the best.
