Got any advice on college stress coping skills (WARNING: pretty long, kind of a rant)?

J

jerkstoreowner

New member
Here's a little bit of info: I'm a sophomore engineering student at my university (becoming a junior next semester) who is also pursuing a minor in English. I have very difficult classes such as Calculus 1 and Computer Science, and I have a presentation coming up for my English class. I hate math (only when it's hard to understand), I'm not looking too good in my COSC class (I've scheduled a meeting with my teacher to discuss whether I should drop it or not), and my face easily turns red when nervous and I ALWAYS get nervous in front of an audience (it helps if there has been practice ahead of time, but it's nightmarish if it's impromptu seeing as I once got a panic attack a few days ago because of that). I've been reconsidering changing my major or quitting college because I'm tired of all the stress that's been happening lately, but I don't want to give up just because of adversity and I want to get a good career since I'm nearly halfway done with my undergraduate years. But then again, all this stress seems to be killing me!

On top of all that, I have a tendency to ramble when I'm in a bad mood (which is kinda what I'm doing right now) and I am somewhat girl-crazy.

I really felt like getting that off my chest, and I don't like sharing this with my friends because I hate showing this side to them (not that I don't trust them or anything, but I might regret it later on from embarrassment since I'm normally not like this).

Can anyone help me? If this question is too vague and you want more info to help me out (assuming anyone actually wants to help), feel free to send me a private message or some other means of communication.
 
Do not drop out of college! Whatever you do. The stresses of real life are much worse than college especially if you drop out. Then you will have the worries of feeling like a failure and a drop out and finding a job...not a great place to be. College is stressful. So is the real world. The real world will be much less stressful AFTER you have that piece of paper in your hand. You will get college figured out. Just hang in there. I cried every year during finals, even up to my senior year. It's normal. Try to find a good balance that YOU feel good about. Work hard and play hard. There really are no rules, except do whatever you have to do. You are just getting a crash course in skills that will help you live a happy life.

Getting nervous in front of an audience...Follow the best advice I can give...If you are going in front of the class, GO FIRST! If you sit there and anxiously anticipate being in front of the class, it gets worse. If you get it done and over with, then you save yourself minutes of anxiety which only increases over time waiting to speak. Practice raising your hand before you get called on in class. Take the ball in your court. Your face will not be red if your speaking because of your own choice to speak and you will know what to say if you choose to speak instead of being chosen. It is nerve racking, believe me. I avoided public speaking like the plague...switched majors because of it...switched back to my original major, had to take it. After the class, I was so much more confident. You will be too. By my senior year, I was ready to get into any conversation in class. Another thing, remind yourself it's only a couple of minutes of your life AND notice that after a couple of overwhelming terrible minutes, it does lessen. So much in fact that it will eventually go away and you could enjoy it.

I know this is long but I have had all the experience you have (so has any college student). You either make it or you don't. Be one of the ones who makes it and stay with your major! Your bank account will thank you one day. College will give you the skills (public speaking included) where you will thrive in life. And panic attacks will go away as you get older. Hormones will lessen. You will be able to cope with stress better. College is one big panic attack. Don't worry!
 
College....not easy. Truthfully, if I knew what to tell you I would haved saved myself the trouble of stressinng out. I totally understand what you are saying. I mean besides the usual, take a break, don't wait till the last minute, see a tutor, talk with your teacher, ask for help, study more, read the chapter twice, etc. it's like someone dropped you in this hole and there is no way of getting out. I don't recommend dropping out. But at least think about this. Do you like the classes you are taking. You meantioned about switching your major, sometimes you find out halfway into that you really just hate what you thought you would love. It took my six years to get my bachelors. I hated my first major and I wound up dropping out for a year after almost failing. I stayed out for a year, went back, changed my major, and madde A's and B's. If you are REALLY burnt out then maybe you need a real break. Like take off a semester. Or if it is the major that's getting to you maybe you should like at other major's that you'll somewhat enjoy.
 
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