Whether you have anxiety or not, everyone can experience feelings of panic and stress now and then. Going to university is a big transition, so you might find yourself feeling anxious about it. First of all, this is completely normal! Secondly, you’re not alone. As someone with an anxiety disorder, moving up to university was really exciting, but it was also really scary. It left me questioning my capability one too many times.
I hope that by breaking down the experience of a student with anxiety, I can show you that we are capable! There are many ways to manage anxiety and find support. So, as nerve-wracking as it can feel, you can have anxiety and still have a great time at university.
Causes of anxiety
Many aspects of university can cause anxiety. From newfound independence to socialising, to managing deadlines, I’ve found myself feeling anxious quite often. The biggest cause, for me, was new environments and speaking up for myself when I needed support. I think we can all feel a little nervous when moving away from home and confronting unfamiliar situations. There might be a larger campus, new people, and more responsibilities. You might have to do things like exploring on your own and speaking to lots of new people. Whilst this is all very exciting, it can also be very daunting!
Another big issue for me has been balancing assignments and independent work with my extracurriculars and free time. As deadline season approaches, so does my familiar dread. With anxiety, it can be hard to overcome that feeling. I have found myself procrastinating, getting overwhelmed, and letting the stress pile up.
With my anxiety, something else I really struggle with is talking to other people. Social anxiety means that meeting new classmates and seeking guidance from professors is challenging. Also, putting myself out there is another aspect of this. Joining societies, speaking in seminars, and doing fun things – these have all felt impossible! Exploring outside your comfort zone can be difficult with anxiety because it means opening yourself up to things you cannot easily prepare for.
However, these are just a few of the many things that can trigger anxiety. You might find yourself feeling anxious in a variety of other ways, and this is completely valid. It can be as simple as running late to a lecture or having to catch up on one you’ve missed.
How it made me feel
Anxiety can manifest itself in both physical and mental ways. There can be times when you have both. Anxious thoughts about work or life in general have left me feeling breathless and panicked. Other times, I can experience the physical feelings of a panic attack (chest pain, palpitations, etc.) without even feeling anxious! These can be common for people with panic disorders and anxiety, and can make managing everyday life difficult.
Beyond the immediate symptoms of anxiety, I have also had a lot of other feelings. Having anxiety or panic attacks has often stopped me from doing things I enjoy, like going out or meeting people. Because of this, I’ve also struggled with feeling isolated and insecure. It can make you feel like there is something wrong with you, or that you’re different to everyone else. However, feeling isolated is a very common experience for students.
In addition to this, stress and anxiety around exams and assignments can lead to feeling distracted and difficulty concentrating. It can be hard in lectures and seminars to focus or participate when you’re feeling anxious. For essays, I often feel that I have not done my best, even when I spend those long hours preparing. This is because anxiety can make you feel disorganised and burnt out. I’ve often felt like I have to catch up to everyone else, especially when it gets in the way of studying.
There are a multitude of ways anxiety can present itself, so you might be experiencing it without even realising you are. I’ve found that my anxiety can be as subtle as restlessness and fidgeting in lectures, or struggling with insomnia.
How I deal with anxiety now
There is no easy way to manage anxiety. For many years, I have had doctor’s appointments and medication, but this is not always the best, or most accessible, option.
Academic anxiety
For academic anxiety, I have greatly appreciated the support provided by my university. As intimidating as they can be, office hours are really a lifeline for students. Professors can provide guidance and clarity, and have helped me hold myself accountable in finishing assignments rather than feeling anxious about them. At the University of Birmingham, there is also an academic support service for my course, AWAS, that provides everything from past essays to 1-to-1 support on your work. I have found this really useful when I feel overwhelmed with managing my assignments. They also provide mental health support, so I recommend checking if your own university has something similar. This support is amazing when your thoughts or feelings become too much, or when you need someone to talk to.
There are also a variety of more informal options. You can find apps and websites dedicated to students, mental health and support. I have relied greatly on websites like Unifresher and The Student Room, because I can find other students asking for similar advice, or I can find answers to things I am worried about. Apps like Unibuddy are useful because you can chat with other students, so you know that they are going through similar experiences to you. Additionally, I really like journaling to clear my mind. Apps like ‘Sincerely – off my chest’ are good for this, as you can write letters, notes, or whatever is on your mind, and sometimes people will respond and give advice.
Managing your mental health
Hobbies are another great way to feel calm and prevent overthinking. I like to set time for myself, like using a focus app or a timetable, to plan out when I will do work, and when I can let myself breathe. Being able to shut off from stress and do something you like is crucial for not feeling overwhelmed at university. For example, I like to read or listen to podcasts. I also really love to bake or do something crafty; it keeps you busy, and you get something nice out of it!
Furthermore, whilst focusing on your mental health is important, preparing and planning around situations is also key. I make sure to research new places beforehand and to plan out days so that even if something goes wrong, I have my plan to fall back on. Visual planners and checklists are great for this. Unifresher has some great information similar to this for planning your move into shared accommodation if you have social anxiety.
Having a support network is also crucial. This could be a therapist, or just your mates. To be able to speak to someone about your thoughts and feelings helps to make them feel less overwhelming.
Living with anxiety
Finally, be prepared to be uncomfortable. It is a hard truth I have had to face at university. There are times when you might have to go out of your comfort zone to speak to new people or do things you’re unfamiliar with. For the first year, I was terrified of going to a society session, but once I did it and really enjoyed it, I realised that I had been holding myself back!
In my second year, I have been part of a society committee, something that I would never have thought myself capable of, and it has been so much fun. You might do things and love them, but you also might hate them. However, you will not know unless you actually put yourself out there. There are plenty of fun things to do if you have social anxiety, so this doesn’t mean forcing yourself into a crowded house party.
You might also find things like gum or stress toys useful. I like to have a fidget ring with me when I’m in lectures, as it helps me focus and stay grounded. Similarly to this, do not be ashamed to show that you are struggling with anxiety. People might be feeling the same way, or they might be able to understand you better once they know. I’ve found that this can feel embarrassing, but once you do it, you don’t feel so alone with your emotions. It has also helped me feel more comfortable asking for things I need, like my own space or a different way of doing things.
I will admit, it hasn’t been easy at times. However, as I transition into my final year, I can reflect on what has helped me and feel proud of how far I have come. If you’re someone who has anxiety, I hope that my experience can help you figure out what’s best for you. University is hard, especially when you have anxiety, but you’ve got this!
