Feeling overwhelmed in college is pretty much a weekly occurrence. Professors might seem like they forget that, in addition to their class, you're probably taking at least 4 or 5 other classes. While the school work does definitely make up a large part of the overwhelming nature of college, figuring out life, in general, is also incredibly nerve-racking.
However, there are ways that I have found to keep the anxiety at bay and help you get started on all the stuff there is to do when really all I feel like doing is taking a nap and ignoring the world.
I make lists for everything. Sometimes I'll end up writing down the same list 2 or 3 times when I don't have the original with me because I just need to see all my tasks written down in words in order to find a place to start.
Often, there are too many things just floating around in my brain that I find it hard to focus on an individual task instead of procrastinating. Also, nothing beats the satisfaction you'll feel when you can finally cross an item off.
As I mentioned earlier, don't wait until the last minute to start something. Teachers probably have been telling you this since elementary school, but it deserves being repeated. It's so easy to get lost in complaining about an assignment and feel like you're working on it instead of actually sitting down and working on it.
This applies to real-life situations as well. You can talk about networking and getting internships until you're blue in the face- none of these things will actually happen until you put in the time to meet people and put yourself out there. I definitely know that this is easier said than done. I'm not a fan of doing either of these things, but I know that I have to.
After a lot of practice, I've found myself doing this more often and it makes me feel a little more prepared for the real world.
Most importantly, don't doubt yourself. If you constantly keep thinking that something is going to be so difficult, you're going to talk yourself into thinking that you're going to fail. My personal favorite way to avoid this is by employing the phrase "everything's fine."
Anyone who knows me knows that this is basically my catchphrase and that it keeps me going when things get crazy. I just repeat this until I muster up the confidence to take on whatever life is throwing at me. In other words, fake it 'til you make it.
