It goes without saying that university can be a very stressful time. And true to the old saying…when it rains it pours. Problems never seem to come one at a time, but rather all at once. Being under academic pressure comes with side effects that can reach out to your personal and professional life. But other times, nothing seems to be connected and yet numerous things are wrong. So why is the world out to get you? The truth is, it’s not. But your attitude and the campus setting can seriously affect the results of day-to-day life. So what can you do?

Ask for help

You never have to be alone. Even if one of the problems is that you feel lonely and like it is just you against the world. Every school provides free counselling services and there are support groups. If it is a problem with studies and getting assignments completed your professors are there for you. In fact, it’s their job to give you advice and help. Use them. When the problems pile up, you have to put aside your pride and reach out to friends and family and anyone else that can help you. In the end, you will realize who is there for you.

Focus on one problem at a time

Yes the problems are piling up—but the truth is that there is no possible way they can all be handled at once. Make a list of everything that is going wrong from smallest to largest (or easiest to hardest), and try to tackle the more important of these first. If that is too daunting and you just cannot bring yourself to do it, pick the one you can solve the soonest and that will get the ball rolling. The success of solving a problem will feel amazing.

Wait

If what is wrong right now requires no action but rather time…wait. This too shall pass, and sometimes waiting is not being passive but rather being patient. Sometimes all you need to do is wait out the storm. In the meantime, find ways to envision a good outcome and calm yourself down through exercise, meditation and friendship.

Tackle your anxiety

Does the world feel like it’s out to get you because you’re anxious and constantly expecting the worst? Identify what makes you anxious and research ways to fight it. Envision your worst fears and then understand that your worst fears truly never often happen. Oftentimes it is our own insecurities and fears that contribute to the chaotic state of our lives, not outside events.

When you look back

The truth of the matter is that when you look back on these hard times, you may actually forget what caused them or what was happening. Oftentimes all these disasters that make university a hell at the time actually seem mundane down the road. Again, this too shall pass.