12 Ways To Cope With Anxiety In Class
Start writing a post
Education

12 Ways To Help Reduce Your Anxiety In Class

Some helpful tips.

150
12 Ways To Help Reduce Your Anxiety In Class

Within the last year, I have developed a really bad case of anxiety. I would just be sitting in class when a panic attack would overtake me. I would start to sweat, my heart would race, and there would be a pressure in my chest. It felt like I was having a heart attack every time they happened. The would only happen in one class and all week I would dread that class. I wouldn't know how to stop or prevent them. I would stare at the clock every five minutes and pray the professor would let us out early. I would occasionally get them while driving and they have resurfaced this semester too.

But I have a better grip on them now, and I feel a thousand times better. Here are some techniques I use to reduce my anxiety and prevent panic attacks from escalating.

1. Tap your foot

When I tap my foot, it reminds me that I'm doing fine, and it calms me down. I'm always scared that I'm going to faint when I have a panic attack and continuously tapping my foot grounds me. It reminds me that I'm OK and everything is fine.

2. Take frequent water breaks

Moving a little to get your water bottle, and physically drinking from it reminds your body that it's fine. Plus, you'll be focusing on opening your bottle and taking small sips that the panic will subside for little. It will also cool you down if you feel hot.

3. Focus on one thing in the classroom

Pushing all of your attention on someone's brightly colored shirt, or someone putting their hair up in a ponytail will force you to focus intently on something for a moment. This will help you relax and get that heart rate down a little. Take your time from looking from student-to-student-to-the-professor. Doing this will allow you to go slow and take a minute to recollect yourself.

4. Take deep breaths

When panic seizes your body, your breaths get shallow and don't fully reach your lungs. Taking deep breaths will release the pressure in your chest and help your heart beat slower. It is also a great calming technique.

5. Doodle in your notebook

Making little doodles in your notebook will take your attention off the panic and anxiety that has consumed you and you will focus on drawing. This can calm your nerves and give you something to do during a boring lecture.

6. Remind yourself that everything's fine

Giving yourself a little reminder that you're OK can everything's fine, really helps me. I will look at the other students in the class and see that they're perfectly content and calm on the outside, and it motivates me to calm down and relax.

7. Keep a headphone in and quietly play music

I did this last semester. It makes me feel like a bad student, but if the music is quiet enough, you can still hear the professor's lecture and the lyrics. This one helped me really well, too. Having the lyrics to focus on took my mind off my panic attacks and there were able to subside.

8. Clear your mind

This one can be a little harder. It takes a lot of mental strength to fully clear your mind. But I suggest, not thinking about everything you need to get done that day, or week, because that will just stress you out more. I'm guilty of doing this when I'm panicking, but I have gotten in the habit of not doing it. A clear mind is a stress-free mind.

9. Try to only focus on the class

Listening to every word the professor says will force you to only think about the class and material. You'll be too busy thinking about the class, that your anxiety will be off your mind. You will thank yourself later for this one.

10. Change your seating position

Moving a couple inches might not seem like it'll do much, but it actually helps a lot. Scooting up or lower in your seat is like a little refresher for your mind. It recharges it and you're good to go for a little bit. I do this at least four times during a big lecture hall.

11. Remember that it will only last for a moment

Telling yourself that it'll be over before you know it actually helps. It reminds you that this anxiety will end, and you can carry on with your day. It may feel like it happens over the course of ten or twenty minutes, but it's only for one or two. And that is totally doable.

12. Tell yourself about that nap after class is over

When you go through a panic attack, it drains you. You lose all of your energy and you feel like you could just pass out right there in the class. Reward yourself for going through that panic with a well-deserved nap.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

38434
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

22627
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

949222
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

126117
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments