It's safe to say there isn't a single person who would be satisfied with a fail after putting so much hard work into their course – the never-ending nights spent typing away your essays, flipping through countless books at the library, and passing on fun night-outs, shouldn't be for nothing.
This alone adds a lot of pressure to achieve high marks as no one wants to look back on their hard work and sacrifice, and feel regret.
Pressure from external sources can increase the level of anxiety we feel when we approach our work, especially when it comes from people close to us. I completely relate to this as the daughter of first-generation immigrants, where their overwhelming need to succeed in university life is passed on. Guilt from knowing how much your parents sacrificed, and the intimidation of hearing how other family members are doing can make failure seem like the end of the world.
Honest conversations – although they can be hard to go through with – may allow your parents to empathise with your struggles as a university student.
That being said, I recognise that with cultural standards, this level of emotional vulnerability isn’t always possible. Establishing boundaries with your friends and family can help alleviate the pressure you may be feeling. You may decide not to share your exam results with certain people or keep study plans to yourself – and that's absolutely justified.
If you don't live in student accommodation, a change in your study environment to somewhere away from home may help. You can avoid your over-attentive parents who may make studying more difficult than it already is. Why not try out the library, local cafes, or any other public space where you can gather with your classmates and study together?
This will help you feel less isolated and aid you in your academic anxiety, as those study buddies can relate to you, making it easier to work together.
As a university student, there is a large expectation to take the initiative to make your worries heard – this includes making sure your tutors know when you are struggling with deadlines and being open with them about any challenges you’re facing.
Self-advocacy means seizing the opportunity to email tutors throughout the day, schedule meetings, and talk to other members of staff to ensure academic intervention isn’t your last resort when you’re struggling with work.
As you begin to create yourself a stress-free environment, make sure you continue to look after your mental wellbeing and hold yourself accountable for behaviours that contribute to negative study beliefs and practices.
Edited by Michelle Almeida
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