How to deal with coursework anxiety

Whether you’re a college or university student, there’s a high chance you’ll have coursework to do. Coursework is generally the larger body of work you submit where you have a period of time to focus on the work which can be presented in a written or practical format.

If you have multiple pieces of coursework assignments and feel anxious about getting started, you’re not alone. In this article, we’ll dive into why some students struggle with anxiety over coursework, how you can overcome the anxiousness and where to get support if it all feels a bit too much.

Can coursework cause anxiety?

In short, yes. Coursework can be a source of anxiety, even in individuals who don’t tend to get anxious. They may have high resilience and an absence of any pre-existing stress or mental health conditions, but the pressures and stresses and cause a lot of anxiety. Coursework anxiety doesn’t discriminate and is a very common part of student life.

Why do students get anxiety around coursework?

Much like exam stress, coursework can be a source of anxiety and worry in students. This usually stems from:

• Pressure to complete coursework to a high standard

• Leaving coursework close to a deadline

• Having multiple coursework assignments to complete at once

• Not having the resources to complete coursework

• Uncertainty or a lack of guidance

• Competition among peers

• A combination of the above

What are the signs you’re anxious about coursework?

Coursework anxiety often presents itself in the same way common anxiety would. Anxiety over coursework often manifests itself through:

• Procrastination

• Avoidance

• Feelings of dread

• Irritability

• “Going blank”

• Poor sleep

• Poor appetite

• Racing thoughts (rumination)

How to manage anxiety around coursework and academic tasks

Coping with anxiety isn’t impossible. With the right mindset and willingness to work through it, you can reduce its effects on the mind and body in order to achieve success and complete your coursework to a high level.

1. Break big tasks into smaller ones

“Pick 5 essay title ideas” vs “write essay” is a way more manageable task to start with. The key is to have your overarching goal (writing the essay) and breaking it down into smaller ones you can tick off as you go:

• Pick your topic

• Gather resources related to the topic

• Write an outline and tackle each one relative to your deadline

2. Challenge all-or-nothing thinking

Student life shouldn’t be solely revolved around coursework, but it shouldn’t revolve entirely around purely socialising either. Balance is key, and both study and social time can coexist. Social wellbeing is key to your overall mental health, so when you are tackling your coursework, remember that you deserve time to be social or even engage in self-care time too!

3. Ask your tutor for support

Your tutor is there to support your academic success. It can be intimidating at first, but your tutor won’t know you’re struggling until you ask for support.

If it’s too intimidating to ask in person, consider writing an email outlining the particular areas you’re struggling with. You may even wish to ask if they have some spare time during term to have a one-to-one chat to go through any concerns around your coursework you may have. Remember, they were students once too, so they get the anxiety that comes with coursework.

4. Seek professional counselling support

Sometimes, anxiety can just get too much and be difficult to cope with. If you are experiencing unmanageable anxiety over your coursework, speak to your student counsellor, or ask your tutor if your college or university has a student assistance programme you can contact at a time to suit you.

5. Move on and come back later

If there’s a task that you’re really struggling with and need a break from, don’t be afraid to move on to a different one and come back to it later. It’s important to manage your time and tasks here as to avoid procrastinating. Instead, make sure to take a small break and come back with a fresh perspective on the assignment.

6. Apply mindfulness to reduce coursework anxiety

Mindfulness is about focusing on the present moment and has numerous benefits in reducing anxiety. The same principle can be applied to your coursework. By focusing on the here and now, you can reduce worries about other coursework assignments and deadlines in order to focus on the task at hand.

How a student assistance programme can help reduce anxiety around coursework

Student assistance programmes (SAP) can support students by providing confidential, in-the-moment support for individuals struggling with their mental health. In the case of anxiety, HA | Wisdom Wellbeing has a wealth of qualified counsellors who help millions of students every year to build healthy coping strategies through goal-oriented counselling. Our service is available through the Wisdom app where you can either telephone, video call or connect via live chat with one of our 3,000+ qualified counsellors for support. Plus, it’s available 24/7, 365 days a year, meaning when coursework anxiety strikes, you can contact HA | Wisdom Wellbeing at any time.

Conclusion

Coursework anxiety is very real, and you aren’t alone in your struggle. With the right planning, self-compassion and willingness to seek support, you can work through it and improve your resilience when coursework deadlines start rolling through.