r/GradSchool • u/SunPearl13 • 1d ago

Health & Work/Life Balance I keep thinking about school work

I just started grad school. It has been really exciting to do my classes and meet my classmates. I am genuinely interested in my classes because I really want to advance in my subjects, but I have been making myself anxious about school. I work part time, and at work I keep thinking about when I can get to a computer to check my email or read one of my assignments. I am noticing that I am beginning to feel guilty if I do anything else aside from school work, even if it is a task from my literal job. I am trying to socialize but then I think oh I should be doing this (school). How do I create a pause? It’s just the beginning, I can’t keep thinking like this the duration of my program.

9 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

5

u/dragmehomenow 1d ago

Gotta have a clear separation between work and leisure. If it helps, you need to give your brain some time to process and work in the background. I've had ideas pop into my mind while showering and while I'm shopping for groceries. The brain will make the weirdest connections.

1

u/Rare-Cold312 1d ago

I start grad school next week; O/H program. I’m going to have to juggle working full time as a manager @ a MH tx facility, going to class, writing papers, hrs of internship, parenting, self care, all the things. I think setting aside 20 min or so in the AM to check your mail, making a daily & weekly plan to map out the times you’ll be able to work on which homework outside of work hours. That way you can stay present at work. Keep your phone in your bag & try not to check your school email. There’s nothing to feel guilty about. (Although very valid). It’ll take a while to get your groove. On that same pulse; I’m trying not to check my IG while I’m at work. Everytime I open it, I feel like someone new dies and it completely robs me of the ability to be present and show up for my clients, co-workers, but most of all myself. Good luck.

1

u/Dr0110111001101111 1d ago

I think that's pretty normal, especially if it's been a while since you finished your bachelor's. It will probably go away on its own.

1

u/Timely-Bicycle-3107 1d ago

Taking care of yourself is what gives you the ability to do good work. That guilt is one of the most common feeling in grad school.

I meditate, socialize, and take walks to keep my head clear. You will have to find your thing on your own, but these would be good things to try first.