27 Apr 2021

Ah, it’s that time of year where you’re just told to keep going, keep improving, the end of near, yada yada. You’ve got so much on your plate - studying, exams, work, assessments. You’re finding it hard to live up to the expectations set on you to do well. Those one o’clock drives to the kebab shop with your mates (AM and PM) sounds oh so good but you’re really struggling to keep things afloat.

I like to say I work better under pressure but I have come to the realisation that I just love a good procrastination sesh until it comes down to the last few hours where it’s humanly possible to write an essay (I do it to myself) and then end up stressing I haven’t produced my best work. 

While you and your cohort are in the same boat, feeling under the pump comes better to some people. 

But for others, you may feel the pressure from your parents, the competitive nature from your peers, ATAR requirements, maybe your teachers.

 

It gets to a point where you’re struggling with the anxious feeling of living up to those expectations. Assignments become impossible to start, simple tasks become overwhelming. You cop the pressure directly and indirectly. No matter how hard you’re studying, you may never feel content with the amount of work you’ve done, because you’ve set unrealistic expectations for yourself.

Here I am to tell ya, that when you have a hold on how to best manage this feeling, you will be so relieved and confident that you have done your best and all that you can. Just remember that it is so normal to feel stressed when you are expected to do your best and there are ways to deal with it. Now everyone deals with being under pressure a little differently but here are a few things that saved me from caving in and giving up:

1. Scheduling and prioritising

You may feel like there are not enough hours in the day to manage study, leisure, eating, sleeping, work and a healthy diet. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that sometimes you just can’t do it all but prioritise what’s important to the least important. Taking the time (morning works best for me) to schedule out your day does set you up for success. 

Get down to the nitty gritty for things you wouldn’t normally schedule - how long you’ll study for, your lunch break, when you’re eating dinner, when you’re having a sneaky power nap, when you’re spending time with mates, when you’re working out. 

One more thing, do not lose yourself when you can’t complete tasks on time, just pick it up when you can.

2. Get some sleep, but don't over-sleep

It’s proven that if you go back to sleep and have an alarm every 10 minutes, you haven’t given yourself enough time to get back into a deep sleep, so when you do have to get up, you feel a bit disoriented and just…. tired. 

You’ll get into a routine of “just another half an hour” thinking the extra sleep is better for you but… it’s really not. Especially if you do it everyday (trust me, I know). 

Start waking up on your first alarm, wash your face, get a healthy meal in ya and you’ll feel much better.

3. Write down what fills your cup

I know this sounds a bit kumbaya but really - jot down what fulfills you. 

For instance, I love a nutritious meal, hanging out with my boyfriend's dog, stretching in the sun after being at my desk all day, and catching up with family when they come home from work. 

It’s really the simple things that you can acknowledge, be grateful for and feel in control with your life that wipes away any external pressures.

4. Have a conversation with your mates (and check-in with them too)

Have a dnm with your most trusted friends. You’re all riding this crazy roller coaster together and I bet they know what you’re going through. 

Talk about what’s been happening in your life and if you’re struggling with something and I am sure your mates will open up too. 

Confide in each other - you’ll feel heaps better afterwards.

Year13 are pretty gung ho when it comes to finding and following your passions. That’s why at our online careers expo this year, we’re awarding three of you with a Year13 Scholarship; $10,000 to put towards anything that helps pursue your dream career, whether that’s getting through uni, setting yourself up with gear or investing in a business idea.

To go in the running, all you have to do is RSVP to the Year13 Expo and attend it on May 17th-19th. Once you’ve logged in during the Expo, we’ll send you and email with next steps on how you could be one of the Year13 Scholarship winners!