Well, I have done it. I completed my first week of both classes and work, and to be honest, I'm exhausted. It has been one week and I am already due for a break. Maybe I'm tired because I really didn't do much over the summer and my body is not used to it. Maybe it's because my new job requires the lifting of boxes for hours at a time. Either way, I spent most of my day off taking a nap. However, this leaves many weeks in my graduate career. Many of these weeks are still filled with uncertainty and challenges.
Recently a friend of mine (also an Odyssey writer) wrote an article about being a worrier, and every word was spot-on about my life. I constantly stress myself out over anything from money to what I'm going to have for dinner. With my tendency to make mountains out of mole-hills, I had to develop multiple strategies for curbing these anxieties and thought I would share these strategies that have worked for me.
1. Re-frame your worries.
When you have something that stresses you out, attempt to re-frame the context of your situation. For instance, you might have a difficult professor who assigns difficult coursework. Instead of saying that the class is too difficult, say to yourself, "I have the opportunity to challenge myself and work with one of the more knowledgeable instructors in his/her field." Putting a positive spin on things makes things seem less overwhelming for me.
2. Set attainable goals.
A standard military practice is to make your bed first thing in the morning. The idea is that you will begin your day by completing a simple task. Translate this into your daily routine or study/work habits. For me. this usually means breaking up large assignment into little chunks. For money issues, take it one week/month/paycheck at a time. Put a budget in place and stick to it. Not reaching a goal is truly disheartening, so set yourself up for success.
3. Create a reward system.
My personal favorite is to reward myself with Netflix. However, before I can watch an episode of anything online, I have to score 100 points. I get 10 points for every hour I spend being productive. I get 5 points for every small chore I complete (i.e. vacuuming, taking out the trash, doing dishes, etc.). You can also add in points for finishing assignments, paying bills, whatever it is you need to get done. Give yourself credit for all the work you've done.
4. Take a break.
I tend to work for hours on end once I get motivated. That's great, except my work begins to suffer the longer I stay at it. Watch your Netflix episode after you collect all your points. Take a short nap if you're exhausted. Do something fun if you've been working all day. Taking time to take care of yourself is just as important as accomplishing your to-do list.
This is by no means a surefire way to curb any nerves or anxieties, this just works for me. Take some time to learn what works for you. Talk to friends, family, or healthcare professionals. They are all here to help you.
There are many weeks left in our life. They will all be full of unexpected twists and turns. It can be frightening, but it can be exciting to learn what life has in store for you (see how I re-framed the situation). Take each day in stride, and we will all come out stronger on the other side.
