College Fears Debunked: Academic Pressure

Going to college for the first time can feel like you’re stepping into the unknown. Whether you’re dreading it or you can’t wait for this experience, you may still be feeling nervous.

So instead of fretting, let’s talk about these fears. No matter what, you should know that going to college is not as scary as you think it will be. In this post of our College Fears Debunked series, we’re diving into the three biggest fears about keeping your grades up — and why you’ll be just fine.

“Wait … We had homework?”

All first-year Luther students take a Paideia class to introduce them to college work.

It’s okay to be worried about your grades. Whether you’re usually on top of things or fall behind sometimes, not every student always feels confident. But anxiety doesn’t always lead you in the right direction. Instead, it’s important to:

• Stay organized. Learning how to properly keep it all together is arguably the most important part of overcoming academic pressure. And staying organized isn’t just keeping papers in the right folders! 5 Tips to Stay Organized in College is a guide to keeping your college life in order, and how to achieve success in most areas of your life by doing so.
• Keep on top of things. Your workload and classes will depend on your major, but you can likely expect daily assignments, readings, and occasionally papers you have to turn in. Don’t fall behind or have too many late things to turn in, because it easily piles up. While this is easier said than done for some people, it’s achievable. If you aren’t able to get to class, no problem — but make sure you ask for what you might have missed. Asking for extensions is easier when the professor knows you usually have things handled. By staying on top of all your assignments, you’re going to feel more confident and less stressed about the work, which really pays off.

“What if I wasn’t even a good student in high school?”

Utilizing campus resources is essential for those who know they might have trouble with school work, or for really anyone. You don’t have to be bad at math to go to a math tutor. Here are some resources that will help you out:

• Writing Center: Get feedback on your papers and assignments, whether you feel confident in them or not. Writing tutors can help you get started on a paper or topic you’re having trouble with, and they can help you draft an outline.
• Tutoring: Speaking from experience, go to a tutor if you don’t understand something even the slightest bit. High school to college classes are a big transition, and you don’t want to spend money to struggle your way through a class when you could take some time and have the material taught to you in a different way. Many colleges offer free tutoring with peers who have taken the class, and it’s a huge recourse for any student.
• Library: Staff at your school’s library will help you answer questions you might have about finding materials, or even lead you to other resources that might grant you success. 
• Advisors: Your advisor is a very important resource for you, and can help you navigate anything you might be struggling with or worried about.

“But it all needs to be perfect though …”

Luther classes often involve collaboration, like this graphic design class.

If the main thing you’re worried about is that you’re not going to do it perfectly, you’re in luck, because the answer is simple: you’re not. Academic perfectionism can be difficult to overcome, but certainly not impossible. Here are some things you should recognize to calm this anxiety:

• Lower your expectations of yourself. This seems stupid. I get it. But the truth is there are going to be ups and downs in your academics, especially if you’re moving to a new environment. You (or maybe your parents) can’t expect that you’re going to win every game — that mindset isn’t setting you up for success. Appreciate the wins, and learn from the losses. Have some self-forgiveness.
• Prioritize your mental health, and know that it’s okay to take short breaks. Your overall health comes first. If you need to miss a class every once in a while, or go home for the weekend, nobody’s going to judge you for it. Make sure you’re taking care of yourself, and if it interests you, visit the counseling services your college provides.

Will everything go perfectly? Probably not. But you’ll do the best that you can at that point in time, and you should be proud of what you will have accomplished. Your college accepted you for a reason, and they will provide you opportunities to succeed. Remember, there’s always a way forward, even if you fail.

Luther College Resources to Help with Academic Pressure