Common Fears of Being a Student and How to Tackle Them

The academic term is now a month old and the excitement of Fresher’s Week is a distant memory. Your first piece of academic work is probably due quite soon. It’s common now to start feeling apprehensive. There are many common fears of being a student, here is just a handful and what you can do about them.

Living Away from Home

There is no greater lifestyle change than the responsibilities associated with living away from home. You will have to find your inner self-motivation as your parents will no longer be around to remind you to do your academic work. You’ll have to pay your own bills and adhere to a budget on things such as food. You’re also living away from everything and everyone familiar to you which creates anxiety in itself.

Everybody goes through this so you’re not alone. If you’ve already bonded with a few friends, discuss your fears with them. They are likely feeling the same thing(s) you are.

Feeling Like a Fraud

University is a big step in many ways. The biggest change people notice is the expectations on academic work. You will have more work than at Sixth Form College and you’ll need to adapt to a whole new style. With the modern pressures on everyone to go to university and succeed, worries about not being good enough are critical and can cause stress.

If you really do struggle academically, there are support networks in place. Be sure to seek help as early as possible.

I’m on the Wrong Degree Course

It is common to think you’ve made the wrong choice. For some, they really are on the wrong degree course because it’s not what they expected. For others, they feel they should change because they are struggling with one part of the degree.

There are two issues here. Firstly, are you really thinking you chose the wrong course or have you simply found a weakness? In the first year, it’s not too late at this stage to change degrees if the course is not for you. If the latter, you will find your strength(s).

I Can’t Cook!

If you’re in catered halls, you won’t need to worry about this until next year. If you’re in self-catering accommodation, you’re probably already bored with ready meals. Maybe pasta is about the limit of your culinary skills? Students either waste their budget on takeaway pizza or they live out of tins. It doesn’t have to be this way. Cooking is a valuable and rewarding life skill.