How to Beat Anxiety at University

By Amy Durant

Whether you are a first year entering university for the first time, or a seasoned student heading towards final exams, it’s not uncommon to experience anxiety at some point during your university experience. Here are some tips on how to beat it.

Be prepared and plan your work in advance

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Don’t be the cause of your own anxiety. It is unlikely that exams or essays will be sprung on you with no warning. You should be given plenty of time to prepare, so make sure you use it wisely.

Just because your course mate always leaves their work to the last minute and comes out with top marks (or claims to), doesn’t mean you should. The more you prepare for exams, the more confident you will be going into the them, and the less anxiety you will feel.

University is all about learning to study independently, so make yourself a work schedule at the beginning of term, and try to stick to it so you don’t fall behind and start feeling bad about yourself.

Remember: You are not alone

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Although it might seem like everyone else at university is more confident than you, it really isn’t the case – some people are just better at hiding their anxieties.

If it’s your first year at university, and you’re nervous about making friends, just take a deep breath, and go over and introduce yourself to people. They will be just as grateful to you for speaking to them as you will be for finding someone to talk to.

Talk to someone about your anxiety

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The old saying “a problem shared is a problem halved” has a lot of truth to it. Sometimes we just get stuck in our own head, and by talking a problem through with someone, the solution can suddenly become obvious.

A lot of people will have felt anxious about similar things to you at some point, and the person you talk to could have a lot of valuable coping advice to pass on. If the anxiety is study-related then talk to your tutors. It is much better to go to them before a deadline and tell them you are struggling, than it is to not hand in on time and have to explain why afterwards.

University tutors are used to helping students deal with pressures and they can advise you on the best course of action to get back on track.

Go for a run

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Studies have shown regular exercise can actually be more successful in treating mild anxiety than medication. Going for a run, or taking up an exercise class, will get your heart pumping and help you to sleep more soundly at night.

Upping your activity level so you are getting a daily boost of exercise could be enough to banish anxious thoughts forever.

Take up yoga or other mindfulness activities

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Doctors are increasingly recommending yoga as a treatment for anxiety. Yoga helps you to take time out from your busy modern life to focus on your body and your mind. Yoga teaches you how to focus on the present moment, and not to dwell on potentially worrying situations in the future.

By focusing on keeping your body still and breathing steadily, you can break the cycle of anxious thoughts running through your mind.

If yoga’s not for you, just pausing to take a break and a deep breath can make a big difference. Practicing mindfulness lets you focus on the problem you are experiencing properly, so you can tackle it rationally, and come to a solution. Just a few minutes of quiet ‘me time’ a day can dramatically reduce anxiety.

Eat healthily

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Research has shown a bad diet can make the symptoms of anxiety a lot worse. So ditch the pizza topped with cheesy chips (yes, that is a thing now!) and reach for the veggies. When we eat healthily we feel more confident, have more energy and can think clearer, which will help banish those anxious thoughts.

Amy Durant writes for Inspiring Interns, which helps career starters find the perfect job, in everything from sales jobs to marketing internships. To browse their graduate jobs London listings, visit their website.

Lead image: Porsche Brosseau (Flickr)