I'm feeling stressed and overwhelmed. What should I do?

UX Academy can be intense. Particularly if you’re on the full-time (40 hours a week) track, the coursework is unfamiliar, challenging, and moves quickly. Add into the mix the fact that many students continue to work their jobs and raise families during the course, and it can sometimes result in a feeling of overload.

The first thing to say is that your health and wellbeing should always come first. If you feel that your UX Academy studies are an overwhelming source of stress, worry, or upset, it’s time to take action.

There are a range of options you can consider.

  • If you’re on the full-time track (40 hours a week), you might want to consider requesting a switch to the part-time track (20 hours a week). If your issues are around a packed schedule and fitting in other commitments, this could be a good option.
  • If you’re midway through the course and basically doing okay with the coursework, but simply feeling exhausted, you might just need some time off. All UX Academy students are entitled to request up to 2 weeks worth of pauses
  • If you’re already on the part-time track but still struggling to keep pace with the work, you might like to schedule a call with a member of our support team. They will be able to discuss the issues you’re facing and help you figure out a way forward.

Things might feel difficult right now, but it’s worth remembering that this isn’t forever. UX Academy lasts 4-7 months, and before you know it, you’ll be out the other side with a heap of new knowledge, ready to apply to jobs and kick off your career in design. Keep your eyes on the end goal, and as much as possible, try not to sweat the small stuff.

Here are some further ideas and resources that might help you get control of your time and keep stress levels down:

  • Guided meditation and mindfulness apps like Headspace and Calm can help to provide daily structure and moments of peace. There is clinical research evidence that mindfulness-based techniques can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
  • Consider using task management tools and techniques like pomodoro timers and bullet journaling. By deliberately scheduling and constraining tasks to a determined time frame, you can reduce procrastination and feel better about the time you spend working.
  • If you’re really worried about your health or state of mind and aren’t sure what to do, consider seeing your doctor. We’ll say it again—your health and well-being should always be the priority.