Take back your power with organizational tools and seek out support when you’re stressed.
1. Time management! If you have a multi-step, long-term project, break it into manageable chunks and put them on your calendar. If you have a lot of late work, make a chart or list of small tasks that take an hour or less. You’ll be able to visualize the big picture and each step it will take to get there. It will look practical and real instead of feeling like a nebulous cloud of confusion and fear.
2. Do one small thing on your list. When I’m overwhelmed, I make a long To-Do list, which helps me to see the tasks but can also feel scary when I see how long it is. But, when I take on one task and then cross it off, that feels great! I’m not stuck anymore. I did something!
3. Talk about it—don’t keep your feelings a secret. Express your anxiety to get it out of yourself, whether in a journal, to a friend, counselor, parent, teacher, or tutor. Let someone else share the load. If you release some of the anxious energy out of yourself, you’ll have less to carry.
4. Ask for help. Again, don’t try to go it alone. A peer, tutor, teacher, parent, or older sibling can help you organize your tasks, understand the material, or structure your thoughts for a writing assignment. Asking for help is a life skill. It’s not a weakness—self-advocacy is a strength!
5. Self-soothing. Parent yourself and take care of your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. It’s mature and it really works. Ideas: make a commitment to go to sleep early, do activities that make you happy, spend time with friends and family who make you smile, appreciate nature or art or anything that sparks your creativity. What do you love in life? Do that.
6. Breathe. Five deep breaths in and out. Calms your brain, oxygenates your tissues and lungs, brings your heart rate down. Centering and grounding. Deep breathing, in and out.