Can't relax?

Hello.
It's a few days before my semester 2 modules start, I do history and have only been given the reading list for 1/3 of the modules. I read it all yesterday. They still haven't given us access to the remaining 2 on canvas.

Anyway, I was recently given a playstation for christmas and since my assignments were completed I had no trouble in playing it with no guilt as there was literally no work to do. Now I do have work to do, though I haven't even actually gotten it yet, I'm avoiding any sort of like enjoyable things because of this persistent need to work, work, work.

This isn't even just because of the work not showing up, but I know the workload is going to increase this semester as previously one of the three modules only have work every other week for a seminar and now its every week for 2 lectures and a seminar like the other two modules and now im stressing about keeping up with it all as well as being able to relax normally, if I'll ever get chance to. I overthink a lot so it feels like now with this new workload thing I'm going to get like one hour of relaxation a day or something like that with no time for myself.

Reply 1

StaffsRep Lucy

Official Rep

Original post

by Frxstyx

Hello.
It's a few days before my semester 2 modules start, I do history and have only been given the reading list for 1/3 of the modules. I read it all yesterday. They still haven't given us access to the remaining 2 on canvas.
Anyway, I was recently given a playstation for christmas and since my assignments were completed I had no trouble in playing it with no guilt as there was literally no work to do. Now I do have work to do, though I haven't even actually gotten it yet, I'm avoiding any sort of like enjoyable things because of this persistent need to work, work, work.
This isn't even just because of the work not showing up, but I know the workload is going to increase this semester as previously one of the three modules only have work every other week for a seminar and now its every week for 2 lectures and a seminar like the other two modules and now im stressing about keeping up with it all as well as being able to relax normally, if I'll ever get chance to. I overthink a lot so it feels like now with this new workload thing I'm going to get like one hour of relaxation a day or something like that with no time for myself.

Hey! You seem quite stressed about it so my word of advice is to contact your lecturer or module leader to request the sheets personally. Explain you’ve finished the first sheet, and that you don’t have access to the others?

If they also don’t have them, then see if there’s any other work things you can get on with based on maybe rereading the first sheet, so that way you feel like you’re doing at least some work rather than none at all!

Hopefully then you can get your work done and enjoy your time again

Reply 2

EssexStudentRep

Official Rep

Original post

by Frxstyx

Hello.
It's a few days before my semester 2 modules start, I do history and have only been given the reading list for 1/3 of the modules. I read it all yesterday. They still haven't given us access to the remaining 2 on canvas.
Anyway, I was recently given a playstation for christmas and since my assignments were completed I had no trouble in playing it with no guilt as there was literally no work to do. Now I do have work to do, though I haven't even actually gotten it yet, I'm avoiding any sort of like enjoyable things because of this persistent need to work, work, work.
This isn't even just because of the work not showing up, but I know the workload is going to increase this semester as previously one of the three modules only have work every other week for a seminar and now its every week for 2 lectures and a seminar like the other two modules and now im stressing about keeping up with it all as well as being able to relax normally, if I'll ever get chance to. I overthink a lot so it feels like now with this new workload thing I'm going to get like one hour of relaxation a day or something like that with no time for myself.

Hi @Frxstyx 👋

Hope you are well. I am sorry to hear you are feeling that way. It may be helpful to reach out and ask for the work in advance so that you can try to complete it at your own pace. If not, you can try to distract yourself by doing something else. I know that it can feel stressful and guilty to do something when you know there is work but try to watch a movie or read a book and just schedule your time around so you can still prioritise your work later. Talk to your personal tutor about this as well so they can help as well.

Essex Student Rep- Lavanya 💜

Reply 3

Kingston Zhi En

Official Rep

Original post

by Frxstyx

Hello.
It's a few days before my semester 2 modules start, I do history and have only been given the reading list for 1/3 of the modules. I read it all yesterday. They still haven't given us access to the remaining 2 on canvas.
Anyway, I was recently given a playstation for christmas and since my assignments were completed I had no trouble in playing it with no guilt as there was literally no work to do. Now I do have work to do, though I haven't even actually gotten it yet, I'm avoiding any sort of like enjoyable things because of this persistent need to work, work, work.
This isn't even just because of the work not showing up, but I know the workload is going to increase this semester as previously one of the three modules only have work every other week for a seminar and now its every week for 2 lectures and a seminar like the other two modules and now im stressing about keeping up with it all as well as being able to relax normally, if I'll ever get chance to. I overthink a lot so it feels like now with this new workload thing I'm going to get like one hour of relaxation a day or something like that with no time for myself.

Hi there @Frxstyx ,
I am currently in my final year at uni and I totally get how you feel about the stress and persistent need to work to keep on top of everything.
Personally, I like to keep track and plan out my week on my calendar to allocate time I spend working. Likewise, I will also plan time to relax and unwind. Both rest and work is important for you to function and enjoy your time at uni ☺️
Given that you do not have additional reading materials now, take some time to unwind now while you can and make a study plan once the new assignments come in 🤗
Wishing you the best of luck in your studies!

Zhi En
(Kingston Student Rep.)

Reply 4

University of Salford Student Rep

Official Rep

Original post

by Frxstyx

Hello.
It's a few days before my semester 2 modules start, I do history and have only been given the reading list for 1/3 of the modules. I read it all yesterday. They still haven't given us access to the remaining 2 on canvas.
Anyway, I was recently given a playstation for christmas and since my assignments were completed I had no trouble in playing it with no guilt as there was literally no work to do. Now I do have work to do, though I haven't even actually gotten it yet, I'm avoiding any sort of like enjoyable things because of this persistent need to work, work, work.
This isn't even just because of the work not showing up, but I know the workload is going to increase this semester as previously one of the three modules only have work every other week for a seminar and now its every week for 2 lectures and a seminar like the other two modules and now im stressing about keeping up with it all as well as being able to relax normally, if I'll ever get chance to. I overthink a lot so it feels like now with this new workload thing I'm going to get like one hour of relaxation a day or something like that with no time for myself.

Hey,

This sounds like a really stressful headspace to be in, and it’s actually something a lot of students go through when the next semester is about to start. Try to remind yourself of something important: right now, you genuinely don’t have any actual tasks to do apart from the reading you’ve already done. You’ve already done more than many people will do before week 1 even starts.

That I must always be working feeling is really common, especially when you know the workload is about to increase. Your brain starts treating any relaxing as wasted time, even when there is nothing productive you could be doing in that moment anyway. That’s not you being lazy, that’s anxiety and overthinking talking.

The reality is even when the workload increases it will not be non-stop 24/7 work. Uni work tends to come in waves. Some weeks are heavier, some are lighter. And most students still manage to watch TV, play games, see friends, and have downtime alongside it. You don’t suddenly lose the right to enjoy anything just because you’re in semester 2. It might help to think of it like this: rest and fun aren’t a reward you’re only allowed when everything is finished. They’re part of how you stay functional and don’t burn out. If you try to live in permanent work mode, you’ll actually end up more exhausted and less productive.

When the semester starts, a simple structure usually helps a lot:

•

Do your uni work in blocks (e.g. morning/afternoon), not spread across the whole day.

•

Decide roughly when you’re done for the day, even if everything isn’t perfect.

•

Protect some guilt-free downtime, even if it’s just an hour or two in the evening.

Right now, you’re stressing about a future workload that you haven’t even been given yet. That’s your anxiety filling in the gaps with worst-case scenarios. Uni is a marathon, not a sprint, and you won’t get through it by never switching off.

Good luck 😊
Arslan – University of Salford Student Representative