How to Avoid College Overwhelm

Does this look familiar? Photo: Casey Serin

As we listen to what college students are facing today, one of the most common things we hear is college overwhelm. If you’re falling behind with your assignments and feeling overloaded with responsibilities and expectations, you’re experiencing college overwhelm. If this sounds familiar, to you, here are some tips on how to avoid college overwhelm.

1. Structure your time. After 12 years of structured school, having to proactively schedule study time can be overwhelming to freshmen students, reports Dartmouth University. Using a calendar or your cell phone, put your classes on the calendar and be sure to block out time for work and play. Some experts report that making a list of what you need to accomplish the next day before going to sleep can help you mentally prepare for the day while you sleep.
2. De-stress. Taking up a physical activity like kickboxing, yoga, or even walking can improve your ability to cope with college overwhelm.
3. Don’t overdo it. Typically, 12 credit hours per semester is considered full time, with 18 credits being the maximum. Most people start to burn out around 18 credits. Consider that not all college credits are created alike. That half credit college choir class you thought would be a fun break may end up taking 3 hours/week — far more than expected!
4. Allow for flexibility. If your goal was to finish your project before the weekend and it doesn’t happen the way you thought it would, be flexible. Not all things work out the way we plan and assignments may take longer than you expected. Get used to it.
5. Take a break. If you’re burning the candle on both ends and working non-stop, a break would do you good. Go outside and breathe some fresh air. Call a friend and laugh at their silly jokes. Go to a pet store and pet the puppies. Even a small break will help you feel refreshed.