The Stress of Syllabus week!

First day of School, First Day of School!

- NEMO

Today was my first day of my senior year at Ball State University!

I only had two classes Psychology of Women at 12, and Counseling Psych at 1, so I'm home and writing this at 2:30!!! As far as grade school and High School goes first days are usually pretty chill, you learn about your teachers, and do boring introduction activities. College can be similar, we tend to call the first week syllabus week, but that only really happens the first day of the class. So the first two days are syllabus days... We learn our professors expectations of us, and what they have planned for exams, books, and extra credit. 

For me these next few days are when I generally begin to panic... "Erica, its only syllabus week, why are you freaking out, there are no serious tests or papers due????" I know you're all thinking this, but for me I can't help but to freak out! The reason I get so stressed out is because I hear all these different classes telling me about these tests, papers, projects, and readings... Im not sure why but my brain begins to think "OMG THERE IS SO MUCH DUE!!" I realistically know its not all due tomorrow, but I still stress that there is so much to do and worry I wont have time to do it all! 

Reminding myself there will be time, and if it were impossible people would NEVER graduate college, helps a little. It can be done, and I always finish everything and do fine! I have never failed a class in college, but I still get these crazy notions I won't be able to do it. I panic, worry, and question why I put myself through this, yet every semester I end with passing grades, and minimal stress. This being my last year as an undergrad you would think I would learn it's all possible, but I tend to think I'm going to fail! I think too far in the future for things out of my control right this moment. 

If anyone has this similar problem take some of my advice that I am attempting to take myself. Make sure you use a planner and write down future tests and papers so you can see how much time is really between you and these tasks you have. Schedule time to work on things you know are coming up, NEVER wait till last minute to start a paper or pick up a book for class. One thing that really helps me when it comes to reading books is breaking them down into chunks. Make time every day to do reading, but give yourself an amount! Examples would be to read 2 chapters a day, or 30 pages, or however it is easily broken down so you aren't searching cliff notes last minute for the synopsis! 

You shouldn't have to schedule your life down to the minute, but you'll know when you have class so it will be easier to schedule reading time, or time for papers.  Knowing what you have to do is important, but stressing about it is horrible for your health! The first few days should be stress free, so I'm doing my best to remind myself everything is in the future and there is time!!!