Dear Stress, Let’s Just Be Friends: An Open Letter to Academic Anxiety

Where procrastination meets enlightenment

To the stressed-out soul reading this at 3 a.m. instead of sleeping, I get it. Academic life is a bit like dating full of deadlines, commitment issues, and long nights wondering where it all went wrong. Today, let’s talk about the one relationship we can’t seem to escape: our relationship with stress. Here’s an open letter to that never ending academic anxiety, because sometimes it’s therapeutic to laugh about it. 

1. Dear Stress: I Knew We Were Destined to Meet 

It started out innocently enough, didn’t it? Just a light feeling of unease before a quiz here, a hint of worry over assignments there. Little did I know that those gentle nudges were only the beginning. Now, you’re the first thing I think of when I wake up, and I can’t seem to shake you even on weekends. We even have a big adventure coming up, I need prep for it, proper food, scheduled walks etc but more than likely I’ll end up eating ramen while you and I have a loonnngggg talk about our “FINAL” adventure (I’m talking about finals). 

2. I Thought We’d Have Boundaries: 

You know, I really thought we’d set some ground rules. Like, no invading my free time and only showing up when something actually mattered. But you just HAD to crash my Netflix nights, didn’t you? And let’s not even talk about the way you linger during my attempts at self-care; cause now for some reason showering and eating have become a chore. You’ve made your point; now, please, let me binge-watch my MCU movies in peace. 

3. The “Sleep is for the Weak” Lie: 

Oh, remember the time you convinced me that sleep was optional? That was fun. “Just stay up one more hour,” you whispered. “You’re almost done.” Then I look up, and it’s somehow three hours later, my assignment is still only half finished, and I’m bargaining with myself to survive on Boom/Redbull/Double 7/Monster and hope alone. Thanks for that. Really. 

4. Why Do You Always Show Up Right Before Exams? 

You’re like an annoying ex who pops up every time I start moving on. As soon as I even think about exams, there you are, ready to make my life interesting again. And it’s not just you showing up unannounced—it’s the way you multiply. It’s all, “What if you fail? Did you even study enough? Should you have written those 20 extra pages?” and you invite your friend “Course Evaluations” to pest me too. 

5. To Stress: Are We Actually in This Together?

 

Listen, I get it. You’re just doing your job, trying to keep me on my toes. But I can’t help but wonder: are you really here to help? Or are you just freeloading off my energy and living rent-free in my brain? Either way, I think it’s time we have a serious chat about boundaries. Cause at this point, you need a lesson on consent, no is no.

In the end, stress, maybe you’re not the villain you seem. You keep me driven, you keep me aware, and occasionally, you even remind me to work harder. But let’s get real, moderation is key. So here’s my plea: let’s just be friends, okay? No more surprise visits, no more sleepless nights. Just a healthy, manageable level of motivation. Deal? Deal.

Sincerely,

A Student Trying to Survive the University Stress with a Little Help from Preston Media

By Alecia England