Stressed beyond my limits

[Hawkeye]

Wow. I have never been in a point in my life where I've been overly stressed. I mean I've had points where I would get stressed but not nearly to this calibur.

See this is the sitch:
I am working on my degree in Chemistry going along with pushing ahead to get my Masters in Business Administration. From there I will be going to a Pharmacy School. Where I will ultimately open my own Pharmacy in some rural area.

Well what has me so stressed?
1) School. I'm taking 16 hours this semester. And If I do not do this I will not be able to graduate with my undergrad in 2 years.
2) Research. Regardless of what I need to do in order to obtain acceptance into Pharmacy School or any Grad School (if my grades are not good enough I will have to go into a Scientific field grad school) it will really really boost my chances.
3) Volunteering. Again it will boost my chances at a job and at the school of my choice. At this point I've almost convinced my friend to do Relay For Life with me.
4) My "job" with my selling stuff on ebay. Thank God for this so I can do it at any time!
5) The added stress that there may be another Job lined up for me from a well meaning friend.

I have always known that a point like this would be coming but I never dreamed it would be so soon. I realize I gotta stop looking at the stress and calm it down to look at the big picture and get my barings of things around me but I'm still very stressed.

The worst part is? I'm insanely shy IRL. I do NOT like big crowds at all. I can get over that but its just the frustration/anxiety of having to face them!

Anyway-I dont know what to do and unfortunately the only thing I can do to take anything out is the job my friend lined up for me.

I just gotta tell you all stress sucks. Now I know a lot of you will say to take it slow yadda yadda and as much as I appreciate that advice, my plan has already been mapped out. I know exactly what I will be doing and I am comfortable with that. I Just dont like it

So how do you deal with stress?

 

[Shimmer]

sometimes just venting it out lets you feel better.

I hope this helped.

 

[Shawna]

I shop

It is amazing how a new lipgloss makes me feel when I am having a crappy day.

 

[Shimmer]

oh, and I clean.

 

[Wattage]

Hey YBAB...

I can totally relate. I am student too (although on summer break right now), have a full-time job (during the summer) and run a private business all year round. I also volunteer, own my own condo, have an SO, 2 cats and commute 3 hours a day total to school. I am in fourth year and graduating soon so the pressure is on. I am also being actively recruited by my school's recreation program to be an assistant director for the triathlon next year. Somewhere in all that, I am supposed to sleep, eat well, exercise, have a social life and a sex life...

While I am not always perfect (last semester was the most stressful of my life), I have really learned to cut things out. By this, I mean taking on only what will really make an impact and what really counts. For example, I was volunteering for the longest time with a group of people at a residence. At the beginning, I was doing field-related work but eventually, they just stuck me playing cards with them. I didn't want to quit because I felt bad. But in the end, that's not what I was there to do. I am only one person and only have so much time. Spending it volunteering to play cards was not the best choice - so I found a better suited opportunity.

Here's what I can recommend (from my experience):

1. Get proper sleep. Stress inevitable - being properly rested will help you deal with in better.

2. Eat well and exercise. Don't let yourself go hungry, fuel your body well and stretch often while studying. Take breaks every 45 mins no matter what. Take a multi-vitamin.

3. Read a non-school related book. Something to keep your brain active but to let it go a place you normally can't - your imagination. I take a lot of chem too so I understand what it's like to always be thinking in the same scientific stream of thought. Give your brain some breathing room.

4. Music. I study with my ipod all the time. Classical music always. Find a great little spot in the library and go at it!

5. Friends. I know how it is: you always feel guilty about going out, but once in a while, spend a night with friends. You will return to things more refreshed and with better perspective.

6. A hot bath. I love hot baths. In the winter, when it's dark and rainy for months on end, there is nothing I love more than coming home to a hot bath and a steamed milk.

7. Last but not least, remember this is only temporary. In a few years, you will look back on this and wonder why you stressed so much. In the grand scheme of it all, this is really just another phase that will pass.

Hang in there - it gets easier, I swear

 

[Hawkeye]

Wattage,
I seriously cannot thank you enough for that. I will do my best to do all this. I'm just nervous because I'm not a good study person. I never learned how. At least I can find my way through this right! *HUGS* Thank you ladies a lot! I owe you big time!

 

[Beauty Mark]

Why is it so important that you graduate in 2 years? Maybe take an extra year, so you'll have time to do everything you want to do and not go insane.

You claim your plan has been laid out, but I don't see why you can't change it a little if you are really that stressed. No one worth your while will hold it against you. It shows mature to realize you have too much on your plate. I don't want to add stress into your life, but you should really be more flexible and open to your plans changing a little; what if something happens that you can't complete them as you planned? Many of my friends, due to personal reasons, did not do college in 4 years. They had to stop to take care of family or even themselves.

You're a stranger, but I think you need to realize that you need to prioritize your well being before your ambitions. If taking less credits and more time to complete your goals gives you more time to relax and enjoy life, do it! I've had several friends go to mental hospitals because of some kind of mental breakdown due to stress. They took on too much and met some failures (because they had too much to do), as well as some having personal issues. While I commend them for getting treatment (and telling me about it), I don't want to see other people lose themselves that much.

Take care of yourself now. Those classes, volunteer things, and your job will more than likely by around tomorrow in the same state. You may not.

 

[Hawkeye]

I can safely say I will not be going to a mental hospital over this.

And to be perfectly blunt: I can't go into the reasons of the importance. But it must be done and I will NOT stray from this plan.

 

[Another Janice!]

Quote:

I can't go into the reasons of the importance. But it must be done and I will NOT stray from this plan.

Come hell or high water....you will do it!! I know it!

When I'm stressed, there are a couple things I do.

Usually, I get a cigarette and pour a margarita and sit out on the front porch for an hour or so. All alone. With peace and quiet.

I also clean. Sometimes I take a hot shower and scrub the shower and tub while I'm in there. Lol. I am always multi tasking.

Then sometimes, when its my kids stressing me out (like today....I have never wanted bed time to come so badly), I turn on the stereo and we dance. There is something about a little voice laughing and saying "Again momma, again"!! That just makes everything else seem so far away.

Or....retail therapy helps too!

Quote:

7. Last but not least, remember this is only temporary. In a few years, you will look back on this and wonder why you stressed so much. In the grand scheme of it all, this is really just another phase that will pass.

YEP!!

 

[Hawkeye]

Thanks for the vote of confidance!

Usually I try to go into nature but the area has gotton so crowded its ridiculous!
What can ya do? But I think I may join in on the Margarita plan, hey it's five o'clock somewheres right?

 

[Another Janice!]

Quote:

But I think I may join in on the Margarita plan, hey it's five o'clock somewheres right?

LMAO...I work in a country themed restaurant. That song is on the track list for the satellite channel we have tuned. I catch myself singing it all the time!