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Preparation Anxiety of Studying Abroad: 8 Tips To Keep Your Cool

Traveling across the world is a huge feat and causes intense anxiety, but these should help.

Taishiana

Feb 10, 2020

Susquehanna University

Preparation Anxiety of Studying Abroad: 8 Tips To Keep Your Cool

Photo by Lishonda Yazzie

Remember your excitement

I have been feeling the growing anxiety as the last two weeks are unfolding faster than I can register that… I'm really leaving my country. Yet, I feel the excitement as much as I feel the worry. Fortunately, I get little signs and reminders that it is okay to be excited and that holding onto that excitement is deserved. I deserve to study away because I put in the work to be there. So did you and by every right, YOU DESERVE TO BE EXCITED.

Be proactive

Plan ahead, sis. As much as you can, PLEASE plan ahead. Make a list, set reminders, stick up as many sticky notes as you are able, even send yourself reminders in some elaborate way. Just get all your paperwork done ahead of time and ON TIME. You'll save yourself major stress and from overthinking/second-guessing. It's also never too late to research and understand what to bring or pack so you're not scrambling last minute.

Communicate with your study abroad adviser(s)

If you are being hosted by a university within your country and are travelling outside through some partnership between the universities, communicate between both to ensure the best outcome. Share your concerns, ask questions, and utilize their assistance as much as you can. That is their job to help you. Thou shalt not worry if you present your worries and get answers.

Stay busy

Anxiety is not an easy thing to distract yourself from, but it can be done. Spend time with family, friends, work, or volunteer somewhere. Do things you enjoy or haven't done in a while. Write down little details of memories of home. Take pictures of your favorite places or people to bring with you abroad. Focus on something that will interest you enough to make the blank time go faster or slower.

Make memories at home

Whether you make memories with loved ones or by yourself, they will carry you far if homesickness sets in. Go on short adventures to places that you've never really bothered to check out. Take walks and enjoy the special things that make home, a home. You may find those where you travel too!

Daydream

Honestly, I fantasize what it'll be like in NZ. Will it shock me? Can I imagine how it will smell? How the air and wind will feel? How will the sun greet me? Will the stars be different? How will I fix my hair? Which outfits will I bring? Can I get this food over there? Will I get food-poisoned? The list of what-ifs and possibilities dance in my brain freely. It just builds on the excitement, if a little nerve wracking if I let my thoughts take over.

Write down or record your feelings - let them all out

Writing down your anxious feelings can help you identify what your feelings are, as well as how you respond to them. I like to do this to know how I can improve myself. It's also nice to look back on those feelings in the future and smile (or cringe) at what you wrote. Much of my little scribbles and notes have helped my realize that I am human. I'm allowed to feel everything I need to and eventually stop feeling them to feel something new.

Be proud of yourself!

Take pride in the work you've accomplished so far. Celebrate them and reward yourself with whatever you rarely experience or receive. Eat that food, exercise, get your hair or nails done, drink that expensive drink you never buy but love, or any wonderful experience that you haven't felt yet or haven't in some time.

Above all, be present in every part of your experience. You'll think of it all one day and hopefully tell the next person. You may just surprise yourself with how important it is to take it all in, even the unpleasant feelings. You got this and I can't wait for you to go off on your own adventures.

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Preparation Anxiety of Studying Abroad: 8 Tips To Keep Your Cool

Traveling across the world is a huge feat and causes intense anxiety, but these should help.

In This Article:

Remember your excitement

Be proactive

Communicate with your study abroad adviser(s)

Stay busy

Make memories at home

Daydream

Write down or record your feelings - let them all out

Be proud of yourself!

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Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

1. When he just wanted bacon from his George Foreman grill

2. When he had money (and Jan) issues

3. When he got upstaged at Phyllis' wedding

4. When he unintentionally saved Meredith from rabies

5. When he wore a "bisexual" suit

6. When he had to apologize to Jesus

7. When his GPS drove him into a lake

8. When he had to deal with Ryan as his boss

9. When he couldn't fulfill his most generous empty promise

10. When this happened

11. When he struggled with a X-Mas break up

12. When he had to defend his generosity

13. When he threw a classy Christmas party for Holly but she had a boyfriend

14. When he had to stand up to peer pressure

15. When Toby was "Toby-ish"

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

Run Around Clanging Pots and Pans in Everyone's Face

Eat the Last Few Pigs in a Blanket

Pop Twelve White Grapes

Burn Something

Smash Things Against a Wall

Spontaneously Begin an Irish Jig

Call Your Mother

Throw a Coffee Table Out a Window

Sing "Auld Lang Syne" at the Top of Your Lungs

Do Some Squats

Swan Dive into a Nearly Freezing Body of Water

Take a Shot

Time to be merry and bright.

"First Noel" by Leslie Odom, Jr

"A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Kelly Clarkson

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey

"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home" by Michael Buble

"Last Christmas" by Taylor Swift

"The Christmas Song" by Josh Groban

"White Christmas" by Idina Menzel

"O Holy Night" by David Archuleta

"Believe" by Josh Groban

"Les cloches du hameau" by Celine Dion

Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

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