This semester I have had no will or energy to do anything and have been putting off weeks worth of assignments till the last minute possible. I don’t pay attention in class and end up having to learn everything before the night before a test.
How do I stop feeling so stressed and depressed? One of my grades just dropped to a B and I feel horrible. It’s crazy because I have As in my other classes.
Anyone else feel like this or is it just me…
I am not usually like this.
OP, so sorry to hear that you are struggling. It is natural that you would get stressed over your grades, since you are obviously a motivated student (otherwise you wouldn’t be spending time on CC!) Remember that in the greater scheme of your life, one B in one semester is not going to ruin your future. Furthermore, we all go through periods of lacking motivation. Some of us more than others. What you might not realize is that some people learn (yes, it is a learned behavior – you can do it!) to pick themselves up and recharge their batteries. That fundamental life lesson is more important than whether you get an A or a B.
For the short term, find something healthy and productive that you enjoy doing to get yourself out of the slump. Favorite music that doesn’t get you depressed. A conversation with a friend, mentor, relative. A walk or a game or exercise. Comfort food that is good for you.
For the long term, ask yourself: If I wake up tomorrow and all of the sudden my study habits have improved, what does that look like? How does it feel? Now, take steps to implement what you just imagined. Are you setting aside regular times to study? Meeting with teachers? Forming study groups or pairing up with students who help you to learn? Setting a timetable for assignments? Scheduling deadlines on a calendar where you will regularly see it?
Or maybe you are working or studying too hard, meaning that your study time is not well spent? Can you find a way to balance your leisure and work and study, to make your study time more productive?
Spring is coming – hang in there!