Q: I’m stressed out about my classes this semester!!! How can I relax when I’m so busy?
Q: How does one deal with the stresses of school and work all at once without losing one’s mind. Thanks.
A: I’m grouping these two questions together because they have a very similar theme, but the first thing I want to say is that it is okay to take time for yourself! There is no world in which taking a couple hours to relax in between the things going on in your life will kill you. Every assignment will be there when you get back, and just about every class you have will allow you to miss one or twice. As long as it doesn’t become too frequent, it is okay to take a mental health day. I would also recommend talking to your friends and family when you are feeling overwhelmed. Someone you love reassuring you that things are going to be fine is one of the best ways to help manage your stress. Rockhurst also has several resources on campus, such as free tutoring or therapy, available at all times to help students. Lastly, I just want to say that if you are feeling overwhelmed by having too many extra curriculars and a heavy workload, despite what anyone might tell you, it is okay to take a step back and put your mental health first.
Q: I’m having trouble telling my parents I want to change career paths they sent me to college under the assumption I would be pursuing a separate degree. What do I do?
A: First off, I want to say I am proud of you for having the courage to change your career path to something you may have more passion about. I know that can be scary sometimes. As far as telling your parents goes, you just have to be real with them about how you feel. You should not have to go through college studying something you do not really have interest in because that will lead to an unfulfilling career life. Make sure to emphasize that this career change is going to be what makes you happy. I think your parents should recognize this and support you, even if it means a lower income job. At the end of the day, I know it may be hard to get your parents to understand this, but I think it is worth trying.
Q: How do I make enough time for my girlfriend and my friends; I feel like on any given week one will take up all my time and I don’t know what to do.
A: I want to make one thing clear: you should never be made to feel guilty by one of these groups for spending too much time with the other. If your friends don’t understand you wanting to hang out with your girlfriend, they are probably not the greatest friends and vice versa. It is not wrong to feel like you’re neglecting a group of people or person you care about, but if you are catching flack about it, you should talk to whoever is feeling badly about it. Maybe try to plan something fun to do with that person that week. It can be hard to balance these things and my biggest piece of advice would be to just try your best to make time for all your relationships, and if that is not good enough for one group or another, then there is not really anything you can do.
Q: I want to break up with my girlfriend, but I don’t want to hurt her feelings. I want to still be friends even if we aren’t dating and I don’t know what to do.
A: You should just come out and tell her. It would be a disservice to both you and your partner to remain in a relationship you no longer have interest in. The longer you wait the harder it will get. I think if you just level with her, she will understand even though it may take some time. I think if you want to remain friends, you should have that hard conversation rather than just keep leading her on. It may be too difficult for her to be just be friends with you, so keep her feelings in mind. If it works out, then great, but if not, then you may just have to deal with the consequences.
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