Stress and self-doubt can creep up, especially during finals. You might start doubting yourself and your skills due to difficult assignments or exams. Stress can feel difficult to overcome, especially when confronting new challenges.
Here are a few steps to work through your stress:
- Acknowledge and label the thoughts as what they are, but do not feed into them or give them space in your mind.
- Share your thoughts and feelings with a trusted friend or mentor. Oftentimes, it is helpful to reach out to someone who knows you and your abilities. Explain your feelings and if they point out your skills and tell you that you are smart enough to get through the semester, believe them.
- Don’t let your thoughts control your actions and try not to shut down as a result of not feeling good enough; instead, use those thoughts to motivate yourself to work hard.
- If you’re experiencing doubt, try to reframe it as an opportunity to grow. Remember that constructive criticism does not mean you are not talented and asking for help when you need it is the smart thing to do.
- A grade that’s lower than you’d hoped for on a difficult assignment does not mean that you don’t belong. Believe in yourself and your abilities.
And remember, help is always available.