Dealing with Uni Stress

So, today I did a big step and applied for university. I’m so nervous that I won’t get into anywhere and I’m sure many feel the same, but, don’t fret, these are some of the ways I deal with the stress and how to take my mind off things. I have anxiety so I understand how horrible it can feel to doubt yourself. You are amazing, there’s no need to put yourself down by thinking they won’t want you or someone could be better than you, the only person who can get you where you want to be is yourself and you have to strive to achieve the things you want in life.

Right now, I’m stressed about money. With the course I want to do which is acting, I have to pay to audition to the places I want to go to. I’m so scared that I won’t be able to afford it but luckily, my mum and dad are so supportive of me and are trying to help as much as they possibly can but I feel so bad because I know that they’re struggling with money too. I’m trying to focus on other things and only focus on the money situation when it needs to be paid. These ways below are ways I unwind and help myself to not damage my mental health.

1. Work

I know work can be stressful and can make you stress more but don’t think of it as a stressful place, think of it as a haven where you can go and not being that student, you can focus on the job and what needs doing. I find that it helps to take my acting head off and put my sales assistant head on as it’s such a change and I don’t have to worry whether uni is reading my applications and considering me, I can worry whether the customer has everything they’re looking for and I can worry about making sure the shop is clean.

2. You Time

Yes, uni and the next step is very important but what is even more important is you. If you feel like things are getting too much, take however long you need to, just calm yourself down and remember that this isn’t easy so people are feeling the same as you. To unwind, I watch a tv show or a movie, something that is so different to normal every day life that it doesn’t make me stress even more because the characters stress about the same things I am, I can worry whether the guy's gonna get the girl and I can worry whether they’ll find who they’re looking for in time. Sometimes it even helps to read a book. Somewhere you can use your brain and your imagination to picture yourself anywhere but where you are.

3. Health

Sleep is so important when you’re stressed. Most of my stress, I find, is removed when I’ve had a good night's sleep. Eating and drinking properly helps too. Don’t over eat when you’re stressed because you’ll end up making yourself feel worse and don’t drink to forget about your problems because it can lead to more. Every part of your health, mental and physical, is important to try and maintain when going through a stressful time. I try to meditate as much as possible to try and calm myself down and make myself feel better. There’s an app called headspace that really helps me to relax, I recommend it to anyone who would like help to meditate.

I hope this helps everyone who needs it!