Huge anxiety when it comes to doing homework and studying

[dvsxx6]

Lol it's kinda funny that I have my own post right below this one, but I do have some things that I'd like to work on lol.

 

Anyway.. so like my title says, I have huge anxiety when it comes to doing homework or work. I tend to procrastinate a lot and although I know that I'm a pretty intelligent person, I don't follow through cause maybe deep down I don't want to 'fail'. I know that I only 'fail' if I don't put the effort in, which is kinda what I am doing.

 

Take for example, this summer. I'm taking a 6 week math and science course. 2 separate courses, and both very intense. We have a mid-term every friday for each course, and we learn material at a rapid pace, daily. I have spoken with the teachers outside of class, and for some reason, they still go through the material quickly. This causes me huge anxiety to even do the work because first off, I'm already anxious about talking to the teacher because I know that I should know more of the material than I do [but how the fck could I keep up? Both teachers are going a thousand miles a minute. Many students in class say out loud "I'm going to fail this class." or "**** I hate this class." or just really discouraging things because it's almost impossible to absorb so much material in such a short amount of time.]

 

I have asked for tutoring but I'd have to pay $30/hr. $30 an hour on a college campus? Are you kidding? Both my teachers said that they are "free" but I've seen them both several times, and each time I'm like wtf are you talking about cause they already expect me to know what's going on [i take good notes and pay close attention to what they are saying, but because the material presented is pretty foreign [oceanography which is heavily chemistry and physics based] and math [pre-calculus level], I am confused as hell.

 

I have even tried asking people in my class for help but they are the type who prefer studying alone. I am also that type but at this point, I am exploring different avenues. I only have 2 weeks left (6 week course) and I have been seeing my professors off and from the 2nd week of summer school [b/c of the fast pace and because the material is so f'ng confusing.]

 

I have approx 10 problems to do for my math hw tonite. I am tired of feeling like a failure every day because I can't understand this material. I feel exhausted trying and not understanding. I am not a slow learner. I am just not a math and science person. I am a psychology major and I'm supposed to graduate in dec. but if I dont' pass these 2 courses, it's going to push back my graduation to may of 09 :-(

 

I know so many others in both my classes feel the same way, and in a way that's comforting. I'm just tired of feeling like a faiure and feeling so anxious about things. My anxiety is carrying over to other aspects of my life and is affecting my relationship with my bf [he is very supportive of me though and understands I'm going through a tough time,] and I'm startin to drink more now [but as my other post said, I'm in Day #2 of no smoking]

 

I know this was really long but please, does anyone have any advice about what to do about my anxiety and how to better learn the material or I mean, something? I am so f'ng confused and stressed out. At least I'm going to take a year off after I grad in Dec [hopefully.] I'm planning on goin to grad school to pursue things that I actually give 2 sh.its about, not math and oceanography.

 

I really needed to vent. Thanks if you read this far. I really appreciate it.

[GirlBytheOcean219]

Ask your doc to try lexapro or Remeron

[carhill]

My friend who's going through nursing school right now says Xanax works well for her. I'd also suggest meditation and/or exercise. Drugs can have unwanted side effects. Lastly, alcohol is a bad coping substance, IMO. It's too short-term and the depressive effects are too marked, not to mention all the unwanted calories. I speak from experience here

[2sure]

I was interested in your post because I have a teenage daughter who is an A student but sometimes her grades are affected by test anxiety. Especially in Math. She will choke on answers she knows, not because she has forgotten anything but because of the anxiety. So, I was interested in what kind of responses you would receive.

 

My daughter is a student much younger than yourself. She has previously put off Math homework until the end of the night (after other subjects) and procrastinated about studying for most tests. I dont let her do that anymore and have insisted (she is young - I can still do that) that everything be done immediately , before it is due. Her grades sky rocketed not because she got smarter but because she didn't have that anxiety that it still needed to be done hanging over her head. In Math, like you, she needs to basically spoonfeed herself the days instruction after she gets home. Thats what she does. She goes over completely until she understands it. Its a struggle. But it leaves her with if not enough knowledge than enough confidence to take the test with less anxiety...and she does great.

 

You are intelligent. Like MANY people , you have a Math block. Its not your ability - its you. The real issue here (and you know this) is your Procrastination. The Procrastination is nothing but a bad habit but the result is ANXIETY.

 

I'm sure this doesnt help you much - but if you stop procrastinating right now, you will lesson your anxiety and give yourself enough confidence to at least not choke on the tests. Enough to pass.

[dvsxx6]

Ask your doc to try lexapro or Remeron

 

Have you been on these meds ? From what I remember, Lexapro is for depression and anxiety? Not sure. If you have taken these meds, what were your experiences?

[dvsxx6]

My friend who's going through nursing school right now says Xanax works well for her. I'd also suggest meditation and/or exercise. Drugs can have unwanted side effects. Lastly, alcohol is a bad coping substance, IMO. It's too short-term and the depressive effects are too marked, not to mention all the unwanted calories. I speak from experience here

 

Alcohol definitely is the worst coping mechanism, ever. The anxiety seems to have such a strong grip and alcohol is the easy way out. I've heard of xanax, but I heard the side effects are pretty rough. I'm kinda scared to take somethin like xanax, but maybe it's something that I should look into. What was your friend's experience on Xanax?

[dvsxx6]

I was interested in your post because I have a teenage daughter who is an A student but sometimes her grades are affected by test anxiety. Especially in Math. She will choke on answers she knows, not because she has forgotten anything but because of the anxiety. So, I was interested in what kind of responses you would receive.

 

My daughter is a student much younger than yourself. She has previously put off Math homework until the end of the night (after other subjects) and procrastinated about studying for most tests. I dont let her do that anymore and have insisted (she is young - I can still do that) that everything be done immediately , before it is due. Her grades sky rocketed not because she got smarter but because she didn't have that anxiety that it still needed to be done hanging over her head. In Math, like you, she needs to basically spoonfeed herself the days instruction after she gets home. Thats what she does. She goes over completely until she understands it. Its a struggle. But it leaves her with if not enough knowledge than enough confidence to take the test with less anxiety...and she does great.

 

You are intelligent. Like MANY people , you have a Math block. Its not your ability - its you. The real issue here (and you know this) is your Procrastination. The Procrastination is nothing but a bad habit but the result is ANXIETY.

 

I'm sure this doesnt help you much - but if you stop procrastinating right now, you will lesson your anxiety and give yourself enough confidence to at least not choke on the tests. Enough to pass.

 

I'm glad to hear that your daughter is getting the help that she needs now. And it's also good that she's still young enough where you can enforce longer study times for her. The earlier the problem is resolved, the easier time she will have in college.

 

Yeah, I know that procrastination is causing even more anxiety. I just actually have to force myself into doing my math/oceanography work/studies. Forget about all the frustration that I will feel, I'm going to be frustrated whether I do it or whether I don't. I should at least give it a try. I have been earlier today and got help for my math for 3 hours. It wasn't so bad.

 

I'm 22 and a senior in college and I'm supposed to graduate this December. I need only 1 math course to graduate, but I swear, I must've had a math block since age 5 or something [heh not literally but just saying a long time ago.] It's just something that's a constant struggle and now I don't know if I'll be able to graduate in December. I'm going to keep on fighting though.

 

I wish your daughter the best of luck with her studies and wish you well too in helping your daughter with her schooling. It's tough but it'll be worth it when she is older and hopefully her mental block against math will diminish by the time she reaches the college level.

[carhill]

What was your friend's experience on Xanax?

 

I'm not clear on precise details, but she's used various AD and AI meds for at least a decade. Poor medical management had her taking completely inappropriate psych meds with awful effects. Ironically, at that same time, unbeknown to me (we were about 10 years into NC at that point), I was learning the same kind of medication science to manage my mother's psychiatric issues. Benzo's like Xanax were awful for my mom, and severe agitation resulted from even a very generous reverse-titration schedule. Ironically, where my mom responded positively to anti-psychotics like Seroquel and Zyprexa, my friend, being rx'd by, IMO, a quack, was put on the same meds and they nearly killed her. She finally gathered the strength to go off nearly all her psych meds and went completely 'clean' about a year ago, now only taking Xanax as a PRN med. I'm trying to convince her to get a regular schedule going for the Xanax, to keep her plasma levels consistent and eliminate the mini-withdrawals, which she barely recognizes but I'm very sensitive to. IMO, consistency and stability are the goals when one finds a med which otherwise works for them. Xanax does this for her. She says she sleeps better and feels more relaxed (less nervous, anxious and sensitive) when taking it.

 

Today was her first clinical (at the hospital) and I'll be curious to hear about how she handled the stress and attendant anxiety. BTW, she also struggles with math (medical math) and her daughter is older than you. I tell her to focus on the aspects of the math she does understand and nail those, gaining confidence, and only then attack the problems which perplex her. Confidence is key to beating anxiety. So is getting adequate sleep, which is something the Xanax helps her with. I've suggested non-pharmacological methods (Melatonin works well for me) but have received little feedback as of yet.

 

IMO, and I've done this wrt my own issues with anxiety, experimentation, along with having a competent doctor and/or psychologist on-board, is the best way to combat this often debilitating condition. We're all so different; so much so that I would opine the only rule is there are no rules. Best wishes on your upcoming graduation and don't let a pesky math class get you down. It'll all be done soon enough

[josie54]

I agree that if you're really feeling anxiety that is getting in the way of your ability to live and think, seeing a doctor for a prescription is the way to go.

 

That said, in college I had to take physics and calculus. I'm a artsy kind of girl. I did horribly. I read the books and went to the study sessions and saw the tutors and understood only about 10%. It was awful.

 

I did hook up with other students, though, who DID understand the material. That was of great help. They were willing to study with me and answer my questions. Even though I still didn't understand much, I understood more than I would have. You're also exactly on the right track by asking your professors for help.

 

Other than that, just realize that these classes are temporary. Accept that your grade will be lower than you'd like (I used to being an "A" student all the time--I got C's in most of my math/sci classes. On a couple occasions I was lucky to pull it up to a B-). It's also important to accept that you can't be good at EVERYTHING (that was a tough one for me, but I got there). By accepting those two things, you might be able to calm yourself enough to just get through these courses. Then once you've put them behind you, you can focus on the courses that you enjoy and where you excel.

 

Again, I'd suggest trying to form a small study group with other students. Make it a party or something. They'll understand what you're going through, and together, you can hopefully talk through the harder stuff.

[2sure]

You are 22 and a senior in college trying to graduate. Thats young. Thats a huge responsibility. It is one of the most stressful times of your life. Please do not think that medication is a quick or sure fix. Some anxiety and stress is natural during times like this. Please consider learning about some relaxation methods from a pro. lol - Dont put it off!!

[dvsxx6]

I'm not clear on precise details, but she's used various AD and AI meds for at least a decade. Poor medical management had her taking completely inappropriate psych meds with awful effects. Ironically, at that same time, unbeknown to me (we were about 10 years into NC at that point), I was learning the same kind of medication science to manage my mother's psychiatric issues. Benzo's like Xanax were awful for my mom, and severe agitation resulted from even a very generous reverse-titration schedule. Ironically, where my mom responded positively to anti-psychotics like Seroquel and Zyprexa, my friend, being rx'd by, IMO, a quack, was put on the same meds and they nearly killed her. She finally gathered the strength to go off nearly all her psych meds and went completely 'clean' about a year ago, now only taking Xanax as a PRN med. I'm trying to convince her to get a regular schedule going for the Xanax, to keep her plasma levels consistent and eliminate the mini-withdrawals, which she barely recognizes but I'm very sensitive to. IMO, consistency and stability are the goals when one finds a med which otherwise works for them. Xanax does this for her. She says she sleeps better and feels more relaxed (less nervous, anxious and sensitive) when taking it.

 

Today was her first clinical (at the hospital) and I'll be curious to hear about how she handled the stress and attendant anxiety. BTW, she also struggles with math (medical math) and her daughter is older than you. I tell her to focus on the aspects of the math she does understand and nail those, gaining confidence, and only then attack the problems which perplex her. Confidence is key to beating anxiety. So is getting adequate sleep, which is something the Xanax helps her with. I've suggested non-pharmacological methods (Melatonin works well for me) but have received little feedback as of yet.

 

IMO, and I've done this wrt my own issues with anxiety, experimentation, along with having a competent doctor and/or psychologist on-board, is the best way to combat this often debilitating condition. We're all so different; so much so that I would opine the only rule is there are no rules. Best wishes on your upcoming graduation and don't let a pesky math class get you down. It'll all be done soon enough

 

Thanks so much for all your info. Guess it really depends on the person on what meds will work cause everyone will have diff results. I wish your friend luck, I'm sure it wasn't easy. Hope you are having luck with your anxiety issues also. Take care :-)