Post-secondary life doesn’t have to be overwhelming

Credit to Author: Geneviève Beaupré and Susan Qadeer| Date: Thu, 19 Sep 2024 14:47:21 +0000

It is not uncommon for new post-secondary students to feel loneliness, anxiety and disappointment, along with the excitement, hope and pleasures that a new stage in life brings. However, negative emotions can take over sometimes and feel overwhelming. When these intense feelings interfere with the tasks ahead or jeopardize your success, some action needs to be taken.

Practice self-care

By acknowledging your feelings, you can better understand them. Once you identify what’s troubling you, you will need to consider solutions and strategies. Undoubtedly, you will try and think about how best to help yourself. Tolerating and managing upsetting emotions is, after all, a part of living.

Although it sounds simple, the usual advice for getting control over your physical and mental health remains key. Exercise promotes wellbeing, as does eating healthy and getting adequate sleep. It is so much easier to tackle new experiences and difficult situations when your body and mind are rested and looked after. Your ability to think clearly and problem solve is more reliable when you are in optimum shape, both physically and emotionally.

The school year can go by quickly and work can pile up, so time cannot be squandered. Anxiety, anger and low moods make concentrating on academic work much more difficult. If you are susceptible to low moods or anxiety, adding preventive measures to your schedule becomes even more crucial. Review what has helped you overcome difficulties in the past. Remind yourself why you are at school and what you want to accomplish. You may need to prioritize problem solving or take some time to distract yourself. Some clear thinking based on your own history will determine this.

Seek professional help when needed

If, despite your best efforts, your emotional distress continues to interfere with your studies and mood, you will want to take action to reduce the impact. While you can attempt this on your own, seeking input from others can help speed up the process and ensure you have full information and perspective. Those who are impartial or know you well, as well as those with expertise in dealing with mental and emotional health issues, can be helpful. Reach out to friends and family whom you think know your strengths and vulnerabilities as well as to your academic advisors and faculty who understand what is required and what can be helpful to you.

Most schools have counsellors who can help you take a step back to look at your situation and who will know if you need to consult with anyone else.  Persistent mood problems may have a physical basis and a visit to a physician may be needed. When feelings take over, it is often very difficult to be a good judge of reality. Seeking help can prevent you from making decisions without knowing all the facts and possibilities.

Make a plan that focuses on your problem

Acknowledging emotions is important. but that is just the first step. The goal is to develop and execute a plan that puts you back in control.

For instance, if you are too worried about your ability to compete in a tough academic program, you might decide to join a study group, reduce your course load to concentrate on core courses or find a tutor.  Academic advisors can help you determine your next steps. If you are new to Canada and feeling homesick, ask yourself what might help, short of returning home. Would a short daily family update help? Can you visit relatives nearby? Do you need photos of your family in your room, or do you need to read the local news from your home city to still feel connected? Counsellors can help you come up with strategies to address these feelings.

Be proactive about changing your situation

Post-secondary school puts you in charge of your academic work, making social connections, connecting with faculty and managing your finances. All these responsibilities become overwhelming and the challenges that arise during your post-secondary life, often need to be addressed without some or perhaps all your usual supports.

As you try to rein in distracting emotions, you will also want to curtail self-criticism and avoid undervaluing yourself. One step at a time is usually doable. Find some courage within yourself to do what is necessary and make the changes you think are essential. Tolerate some failures and take some risks. If you are feeling isolated,  initiate a greeting or an invitation. You may also join student clubs where you will meet others with similar interests, or you can attend school events. Making the effort and taking the step, no matter the outcome, is the goal.

Attending post-secondary school may bring uncomfortable feelings. Expect lows along with the highs. Make room for all your feelings but don’t allow them to take control.

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