Ask a therapist > Stress > I feel very stressed, specially during exam season and feel a lot of pressure to pass my exams.

I feel very stressed, specially during exam season and feel a lot of pressure to pass my exams.

I am an engineering student studying abroad. I started my studies last year, but started off on the wrong foot and was doing terribly in my exams. I had to drop out half way through to be able to restart the academic year again without being kicked out. I spent the rest of the year studying for the subjects I would be retaking this year. I am struggling with a lot of stress and anxiety, and a lot of pressure due to having had “a whole year” to study for the exams. I have a really high stress and am working everyday but it never feels like its never productive enough.
Socially it is also complicated, I am still friends with people from last year but haven't been going to the classes on the subjects I passed (which were on the first semester), I got to know new people from my yeargroup but it feels like I don't belong in either groups now.
I feel very alone when it comes to what I am feeling, and feel like i am the only one struggling so much.
What can I do to be less stressed, work more efficiently and thus have time to make friends, and have some free time?
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Asked by CT
Stress
Resilience
Answered
01/24/2023

Hello CT, thank you for reaching out to BetterHelp with your question regarding stress, time management, and trying to balance having a healthy social life.

Wow! It sounds like you have so much going on! I know this is a tough time for you as you are adjusting to so much, but be proud of yourself for everything you have accomplished so far to get you to where you are.

I would imagine that studying abroad is an exciting time, full of new challenges. As you know, being able to manage stress is crucial for not only your academic success but also your personal well-being and mental health. It sounds like you are trying to figure out the right balance between work, school, and friends. There are many ways you can manage your stress as a student. Just as everyone experiences stress in their own way, we all have our preferred methods of coping with it. It is crucial to learn how to cope with it productively. After all, you cannot control the stressors in your life (for the most part), but you can choose how to respond to them.

When it comes to your social life (friends), I want to encourage you to make an effort to only befriend people whose company you enjoy. Your time studying abroad is too short to spend interacting with people who you don't get along with, so be selective about who you give extra energy to. The people you surround yourself with can either benefit your mental health or be destructive to it.

When it comes to healthy ways to manage stress, I want to encourage you to take the necessary time to recharge. I'm sure you have heard the phrase, "you can't pour from an empty cup." That is so true! If you are spending all of your time studying and sitting through class lectures and not taking care of yourself, your cup will run empty. Do something you enjoy! Try journaling, meditating, or scheduling an afternoon where you don't have to do anything but read your favorite book or watch a movie. You may not be able to drop everything on your to-do list, because you have responsibilities of course, but don't hesitate to spend some time focusing and prioritizing yourself.

Getting professional support can be beneficial when it comes to balance and stress management. Do your best to understand what kind of stress you are feeling and experiencing, what is causing it, and how you can respond to it productively. By addressing your stress in a healthy way, you are doing all that you can to make the most out of your experience.

(M.A., LPC)