How to Embrace First Day Jitters While Fending Off Your Inner Worry Wart
This is a guest post written by my inspiring daughter — runner, nanny, volleyball player, worry wart and soon-to-be first year university student.
The first-day-of-school-jitters are ones that I know all too well. The queasy, restless, exhilarating feeling that seeps into my blood and organs, coursing through my body, is so real to me that I can taste it.
This coming September I will start school again and for me, it will be every first day of school all over again, multiplied by five hundred … thousand. I will make my university debut with some new clothes, new books … and hopefully, some new friends.
Every one of my close friends is travelling far and wide across the country to continue their schooling – schooling we once did together. My first real job interview, my first apartment, my first (and hopefully only) wedding, my first child – these major steps that most of us experience throughout our short, yet math-class-long lives, are all to come.
So how does a natural worry wart face all this unstoppable change?
Here are 5 tips that I hope will help you, as well as me, get over the jitters that come with all of the stuff that life throws our way:
1. Know that you are not alone.
Remember that almost everyone else, besides those freakish people who never get nervous for anything, is in the same boat as you are. Chances are the fear and excitement you’re feeling is also settling into the exact same part of everyone else’s stomach. Even if you’re going into something alone, pretend you have a friend along for the ride, because chances are, somewhere in the world, you do.
2. Come up with a mantra.
Repeating something over and over again in your head can help distract you from what’s worrying you, and can start to ring true after a while. You can do it, no worries, everything will be great, relax and take it easy – you get the idea. Simple, sweet and short enough to be said during a lonely bus ride to school.
3. Write down your feelings.
Write a list of why you think an ulcer-like knot is forming in your belly. A friend once asked me why I was so scared about doing my oral presentation for English class. I thought for a moment, and came up with zilch. There may be real reasons for worrying, but most of the time, it’s all on your head. If you do come up with a list, add some easy ways to solve them to your list. Sometimes just writing them down gets rid of them or makes you see how insignificant they really are.
4. Talk it out.
When I was younger, I sometimes kept my fears and worries inside instead of sharing them with my parents. If you know my mom, which most of you probably do from reading her blog, she is one of the most helpful, caring and reassuring people I have ever met. Now, I may be biased since I am her daughter, but she has given me many solutions and advice over the years and talking it out with her has helped me feel somewhat less nervous about university.
5. Breath deeply and exercise.
These two methods will shoot the nerves right out of your body, I promise! The second has proven to be beneficial for me, but if you don’t have time, deep breathing will definitely help, especially if you’re on your way to school (or an interview, open house, oral presentation, etc).
I am being completely serious when I say I am feeling just the slightest bit better about starting school in two weeks. It’s partly because I wrote this post. At least I know step 3 works! I know that I will use these tips, and perhaps a rubber stress-ball, to help me when I feel those first day jitters and am in need of some reassurance that everything will be okay. Have a great, jitter-free day and at the very least now you can say you know one other person who’s a worry-wart too. Happy life-navigating.
How do you embrace the jitters? Are you a worry wart too? Fess up.
Photo by Nathan Jones
19 Responses to “How to Embrace First Day Jitters While Fending Off Your Inner Worry Wart”
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Great tips! I would add that visualizing a positive outcome or experience is also great for calming the butterflies in the tummy. See yourself confident and smiling. Imagine people helping you and showing you the ropes. See what you wish to experience and best of luck as you move forward to this new and exciting phase of your life journey.
Hi Alex! Wow, I wish I was as aware as you are when I started university! I’ve just finished my first year and I’m about to go abroad so I know how you feel, it really is nerve-racking, but I’m ready to tackle it head on.
Thank you for the great tips, I wish you the best of luck.
Jessica.
Katie,
Wonderful guest…and bright, shining daughter you have here today!
Alex,
I have a speaking engagement coming up this coming weekend…and it’s one that is definitely taking me outside of my comfort zone. And – the mantra idea – it’s been working so well for me (although the real test will be in a few days!!). That, and taking some time to talk this all out with my wife – it’s all been great at helping to put me more at ease.
So, what you’ve shared – great stuff! And…as I think back now, to that first year at college…you will have an amazing experience. Savor all the moments, and just listen to your heart…
Hi Alex, Nice to meet you:-) And yes, I totally have first day jitters and usually, visualizing a great outcome works really well for me as does talking with someone who soothes my fears and laughs a lot (read spouse!).
I wish I was as smart and sensible as you are when I was starting University..
All the best and have tons of fun
Alex, your writing simply rocks–it’s so real. I was an ace worry-wart for most of my life. Getting older has helped me because now I’m able to look back and see that 99.5% of the things I worried about never happened. Everything turned out just fine. Perspective is the enemy of worry!
I’m wishing you great adventures as you head off to University, Alex. We’ll all be cheering you on.
Hi Alex,
Wow, I’m so impressed with your writing and your clarity on this topic! It is a fabulous post full of really helpful tips.
I don’t worry all that much but I do experience anxiety once in a while, and what works for me are exactly the tips you’ve outlined!
I think you’re going to love college life.
Enjoy this magical time in your life Alex!
Wow! I really could have used this one back in my first year of university! Excellent suggestions for soothing a nervous soul. Thank you. : )
As a student going into her third and final University year, I can say that on my first day in halls – a girl asked how i was and i replied i wasnt sure, this was all new. We were both petrified of leaving home and we’ve been great friends ever since.
Talking up when you know others will likely feel the same is a great ice-breaker and gives you that feeling of support.
Lots of luck at University!
Alex, another smashing guest post here.
I may not be qualifies to say because I only know you through these two guest posts you’ve written, but I have a feeling you’re going to have a great first day and college life!
One of the things I do when I’m outside of my comfort zone is to seek a friendly face. Then I smile and strike up a conversation. There’s just something about connecting with another person that makes me feel as though everything will be just fine.
Have a great transition to college, Alex, and remember to always check in with your mom!
- Clearly composed, visualizing is another great idea! Thank you for your encouragement, I’ll definitely add visualization to one of my calming techniques.
- Hi Jessica, I must admit I sound more aware on paper than I actually feel! I hope to go to France during my third year, I hope you have a great time. Thanks!
- Lance, good luck with your speaking engagement! Thank you for your kind words and I hope it is an amazing experience as well!
- Prerna, nice to meet you too! Trust me when I say my sensibility goes right out the window when I think about venturing into the university alone! Thanks for the compliment!
- Jean, thank you so much! My parents used to tell me the exact same thing all the time, and they were right: nothing bad ever really happened. Your words are a great help!
- Angela, I’m glad you found my post useful! I hope to enjoy this time as well, as nerve-racking as it may be now! Thanks.
- Elana, thank you. I hope to actually use my own advice at some point, since I usually just sit stewing in my own anxiety. Glad you liked it!
- Rose, you sound very lucky to have met a friend right away. I hope the same thing happens to me! I’ll just have to push my shyness away and talk with strangers because it will pay off in the end. Thanks!
- Belinda, thank you! I really enjoy guest posting, since it usually helps me, let alone others! I’m glad I can help, and I’m definitely the same in terms of connecting with people to get a good feeling about a new place. And yes, my mom will definitely be one of my go-to people.
Good post Alex! Good tips too. Knowing that you’re not alone is a good one–almost everyone goes through this sort of thing. I definitely did–and do, with almost anything new.
When I first started university classes, it was very stressful for me, like almost anyone. On top of it, though, I was a few years older than everyone else since I took a break after high school.
The way I dealt with my nerves was by reassuring myself that it’s totally normal to feel nervous with new situations–and I just let myself feel it. I knew I’d get over it soon enough. I forgave myself for things I did or said that I felt were goofy or when my nerves were really showing and I didn’t act as composed as I’d like to. I reminded myself that professors are used to nervous, new students, and they aren’t judging me–if they are, then it’s their problem. I also reassured myself that every other student–or most–had felt what I was feeling and they were in the same boat and understood. If they didn’t–once again, their problem, not mine.
Talking it out and exercising are great tips too! I enjoy new experiences, too, and that really helps to make the nerves worthwhile.
Good luck!
Great tips Alex!! I always panicked over first day jitters, it was more like first day paralysis. Your suggestion of a mantra is truly fantastic. The words we tell ourselves have a massive affect on our outcome.
Your suggestion for talking it out is great too. It gets all the junk thoughts out and gives a clean clear perspective.
Your exercise suggestion – truly fantastic. It’s an amazing way to get the stress out of the body & mind.
I wish you the very best experience on your first day and thorough-out your time at the University. I hope it opens doors to great friendships and great experiences.
It will!!!
I enjoy these guest posts. Though my daughter is just ten, I can anticipate her going through similar experiences in the future, near and far. Next year she might be traveling abroad in a student program – at the ripe old age of 11!) but before that there is an interview and there will be lots of talking and considering.
These are great tips… so many adventures await in college and with any new experience. Part of the process is the nervous energy just as learning to overcome. Soon it all goes away and you are left wondering why you were ever nervous! My only tip – remembering that we have choices whenver we do something or undertake a new experience… we can choose how we see it, how we respond, and the directions we take. I wish I had realized that when I started university.
I hope you will return for a guest post here and there as you turn this page in your life – entering this new chapter! Enjoy college – it is a once in a lifetime experience.
Alex,
I foresee any problem in your college life, as you seems to poised and planned already. You seem wise beyond your age, I bet it comes from your mom’s (maybe dad’s too).
I remember when I went to university it was overwhelming with 300 students at Uni of Washington, while teacher used to know me in my high school, it was a drastic change. You seem to have plan ready and I wish you best! I know you will succeed.
- Leah, I definitely act goofy in new situations as well and forgiving myself is definitely something I forget to do. Knowing everyone else is in the same is something I always forget, but should definitely remember! I’m glad you liked the post!
- Aileen, first day paralysis is definitely a better way of putting it for me too! Thank you for your supportive comments, and I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
- The Exception, I hope your daughter has an amazing trip! I (of course) was always too nervous to leave my parents for more than one or two nights. Thank you for YOUR suggestions, and I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I will definitely keep everyone updated!
- Preeti, you’re very sweet and kind! Thank you, and I hope you are right about my success! I’ll use my tips, and those from the other beautiful people commenting here and hopefully that will be enough!
Alex, you wrote another rocking and useful article. You are wise beyond your years. Hope you have the best of success in your university adventure. It should be fun.
A couple of things that help me out. #1 I imagine the worst possible scenario in my head and then ask myself then what? I keep answering until the worst imagined fears are reduced to a silly thought. #2 is similar to your #5. I try to meditate for 15 minutes focusing on breathing or a mantra. This tends to take the mind away, even for a short bit.
Thanks Alex for sharing your advice and thank you Katie for sharing Alex’s talent with the rest of us.
Alex,
Congratulations on your new stage of life. I like the Boy Scout motto, always be prepared. My four daughters graduated college long ago. What they learned was to always have a plan. Never put yourself in a dangerous situation.
As a psychologist I’ve heard too many heartbreaking stories of rape from so many young ladies. Check out the stats of rape on college campuses and learn to protect yourself.
Enjoy yourself and make great friends and memories for a lifetime.
- Manal, thank you so much for your beautiful comments regarding my writing! Your tips are also great additions to mine. I will definitely use the “worst case scenario” tip during my first weeks of school!
- Tess, being a worry wart definitely makes me avoid dangerous situations, and yet often we don’t evven realize a situation may be dangerous. I hope to enjoy myself safely and have the time of my life. Thanks for checking out the post!
Wonderfully illustrated book to read with children heading off to school for the first time. Helps to alleviate fears and turn the upcoming experience into an adventure. Visit amazon.com and book search “Poppet Goes to School
http://www.amazon.com/Poppet-Goes-School-Third-book/dp/1453892745/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1296523523&sr=1-2