Deal with your college problems with these effective self-help techniques

“Often what feels like the end of the world is really a challenging pathway to a far better place.” – Karen Salmansohn. Flower petals wilt and so do leaves and fresh buds, in the absence of water, at times, even sunlight. The autumn season leaves the trees bare, stripping them off their greenery, the beauty they so proudly boast of. But is that the end-all and be-all of their lives? To your delight, nature has its ways of bringing the dead to life and sprinkling hope even in the minutest living object that’s struggling to breathe. So, tell me, how long, do you think, will it let you suffer?

Every dawn spreads rays of hope for a fresh start, a promise of the new day to put things in order, to help you work harder towards your dreams and aspirations. And with it, rises the cloud of confidence, the one that doesn’t let your determination waver and helps you stay put when everything is a mess.

But in times when darkness, dilemma and confusion creep up, inside your sleeves, all the way down to your neck, what do you do? In situations like these, when you look around and find no way out, who do you turn to?

Before you start contemplating answers and going through your contact list to look for that one go-to person, stop and read our list of self-help techniques that will help you deal with your problems in your own unique way.

#Problem 1: Lack of time management

Managing time well is an art in itself. It is the innate ability of the brain to list things out for the day and help you channelize things accordingly. But if you think that you’re devoid of this particular ability, you’re wrong. One of the key self-help techniques, time management is an easily acquired trait. Even though this might take some time to settle in, practice can help you master it.

Create a priority list, jot the important ones down on stick notes and put it up on the wall of your room or your desk, whichever place catches your attention more. Train yourself into working in that specific order and see how things pan out eventually. If it works, plan your day in a similar fashion, every day. Streamlining things will help you manage your time efficiently and you will not be left with the last-minute panic of finishing things before the said deadline.

#Problem 2: The pressure of scoring well

College is way different from school. In most cases, you do not have a standard dress code and teachers do not check your workbooks on a daily basis. You are also left on your own for studies and attending every class isn’t mandatory until you fulfil the minimum criteria. Often, this not-so-familiar environment is what makes it difficult for students to adjust in, which, in turn, hampers their studies, disrupting their overall development.

But before you fall prey to the nuances of your surroundings, take a step back. Try to accept everything that’s around you and know that this parallel world works on different algorithms. You’ll have to be responsible for your studies and will have to make efforts to learn as well as unlearn things and subjects. While different students have different capabilities, it is up to you to make the most of your abilities and work hard towards your studies.

In the midst of working through these self-help techniques, remember, marks do not define your intelligence quotient. Do not let low grades affect your growth. One grade in one subject in one semester of a two or three or four-year-long course will hardly make a difference. You will get many more chances to work on your previous mistakes and make amendments. After all, life is too short to lament over marks!

#Problem 3: Lack of confidence

Another thing that hinders the growth of students is their inability to open up and indulge in conversations. The lack of this ability disrupts the roots of confidence, not letting you speak up in group discussions, lectures and speeches. Stage fear seeps in, clogging the very channels which ease the entire process of conversations. This leads to a rapid decline in self-confidence, unsettling both, your personal and professional lives.

To believe in yourself and in your abilities, break the journey of making it to the stage, in small steps. The first can be an attempt to talk to yourself in the mirror and practise the art of giving presentations of speeches. Read books out loud in front of the mirror. The next can be an attempt to talk to your friends about your fears, let them know why you are scared of sharing your opinions in a gathering.

Taking these small self-help techniques will help you unveil your hidden strengths and help you conquer your fears and inhibitions, in turn, improving your communication skills and boosting your confidence levels.

#Problem 4: Rejection during Summer Placements or Final Placements

If nothing else triggers disbelief and self-doubt, rejection does. One of the major reasons why students fall prey to the evils of stress and depression, it makes you question your abilities and wonder whether or not you are good enough. In an era where everybody is seeking approval of some kind, not everybody is good at handling rejection. It takes courage and utmost determination of making the most out of every opportunity to hold yourself back and start afresh.

First and foremost, you must understand that rejections, however grave they might seem, are temporary. So, in case you get rejected by a particular company, your skills might align with that of some other firm and you might end up getting selected at a much higher package.

Hope is a crucial and vital element of one’s life. Staying hopeful works wonders in most scenarios. So, believe in magic and have faith in yourself. You never know the opportunity that awaits you!

Spiralling down into the pits and wells of depression and self-doubt is easy. In the blink of an eye, your world can come down to bits. It takes the strength of a warrior to pick your shattered pieces in those dark times and stitch them up, one by one, piece by piece.

In such scenarios, it is important to keep in mind that hope lingers somewhere close by. All we need to do is stay vigilant and not fall apart when high tides hit the shore. Follow these self-help techniques, believe in yourself, and you will know that you have the power of moving mountains. Good luck.

Suggested read: