Stress: understanding the frenemy within

Picture this: it’s been a couple of months since your dream of studying in Finland came true. It all began with the dream of experiencing this country’s renowned education system but with that came the difficult task of stepping out of your comfort zones and leaving behind your loved ones for nothing but hope and dreams of a better life. Now you’re sitting at your desk, thinking about the unfinished work, tight schedule, and assignment after assignment, you feel your heart beating fast and the weight of the world on your shoulders. The more you think about it, the more you feel like there’s no escape. Sound familiar? Welcome to the world of academic stress!

From the very first day you embarked on your academic journey, you’ve been hearing this word from your teachers, peers and many individuals who offered their help and support to face this whirlpool of emotions. It’s safe to say that you are not alone, and there are many ways to break free from the grip of stress.

First thing is first, let’s face the fact! Stress is part of life. Whether it’s deadlines or exams at the university, complications of relationships, or even simple problems in day-to-day life, we all face it at some point in our lives. It’s like a double-edged sword. On one side lies the oppressive aspect of sleepless nights, racing thoughts and ever-growing anxiety which affect not only our well-being but also the people around us. On one side lies the powerful fuel and the push that we all need to keep us focused on what matters to us. It helps us to become resilient and acts as a motivation towards growth. Having said that, it’s the excessiveness of the same fuel that can wreak havoc in our lives. So comes the importance of managing stress.

The truth is stress is neither good nor bad. It’s the way we face it and manage it that matters. It all starts with recognizing stress whether it becomes a fuel that keeps you going or a fuel that burns you from the inside out and understanding that you should not handle stress on your own. Seek help, talk to someone, may it be a professional, your teacher, your friends, or your family, just know that seeking help for stress is not a weakness. It’s a powerful statement to the world that self-care and self-preservation matters!