Surviving in the Pressure Cooker of School

If you’re a college or grad school student feeling like you’re barely keeping your head above water: I see you.

There’s this myth that college is supposed to be the "best time of your life." But the reality is, it’s often one of the most stressful. Between tuition costs, the pressure to pick a career at 20, navigating new relationships, and for grad students, the intense isolation of research or thesis work.. it’s a lot!

When you’re in school, it feels like you have to optimize every second. If you’re not studying, you should be networking. If you’re not networking, you should be working. Not to mention squeezing in time to maintain family relationships, eat healthy, exercise, chores, etc. The list goes on and on.

But our brains aren't designed to run at 100% all the time. Stress isn't a badge of honor or a flex; it's a physiological response. If you ignore it, it will eventually catch up to you and force you to stop, whether that’s through burnout, anxiety attacks, or getting sick.

So, what helps?

1.  Micro-breaks: You don’t need a week in Bali (though that would be nice). You need 15 minutes to stare at the wall, go for a walk, or call your mom. Make it a part of your daily routine. You can even schedule it like a class!

2.  Comparison is the thief of joy: Your classmates might *look* like they have it together, but everyone is struggling in their own way. Remind yourself that you’re doing the best you can, and that you likely aren't seeing the stress that your peers are carrying.

3.  Talk about it: Your friends are probably feeling the exact same way. Saying "I'm overwhelmed" out loud makes the feeling smaller and reminds you that you aren't alone.

If the pressure of exams, the future, or just adulting is weighing you down, know that support is available. Reaching out for support can ultimately be a smart study strategy :)