Hello, doctor.
I'm a senior-to-be, and since the second semester of my junior year, I've noticed that I can't get interested in a lot of things, I feel like my mind has slowed down, and I don't really want to talk.
Often pessimism and negativity bubble up.
I stayed home over the summer to study for my teacher certification exam, but always had a hard time concentrating.
Facing graduation, internships, and future directions is particularly unsettling, but the good news is that I'm sleeping fairly normally at night.
Hello friend! This stage of prospective senior year does make it easy to feel stressed and uncertain, and so many students go through a similar period of confusion. This state, if it continues, may affect the study results and mindset, so it's important to find a way to cope with it that suits you.
Since the second semester of your junior year, you've mentioned diminished enthusiasm, slowed thinking, uncommunicative, and low mood, manifestations that are sometimes associated with anxiety or mild depression.
With the uncertainty that comes with graduation, internships, and future planning, it's normal to feel these emotions.
If this feeling has persisted for some time and is significantly interfering with your daily study life, you may want to consider talking to a professional counselor. They can help you recognize your state more clearly through systematic assessment and guidance, and give you practical suggestions for adjustment.
Try these tips to combat the problem of inattention:
Start by breaking down big goals into small steps and setting specific tasks and completion times each day so that there is less stress and the sense of accomplishment upon completion boosts confidence.
Adopt a regular routine, set a regular time for waking up and going to bed, rationalize study and rest, stay up less late, reduce cell phone swiping, and improve your overall mental state and concentration by stabilizing your habits.
Manage your time with the tomato work method: focus on studying for 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break, and take an additional 15-30 minutes for every four cycles you complete. This method will help you stay productive and avoid overworking. Also, pick a quiet and tidy study corner, turn off your cell phone notifications or put it away to reduce outside distractions.
Taking time out of your day to do some exercise, such as walking, running, or yoga, can boost your body's release of endorphins and relieve stress. Also, try deep breathing, meditation or mindfulness exercises, all of which can help you relax and improve your concentration.
Confusion about graduation and the future is a common struggle for many college students. Take some time to explore your interests, strengths and values, and think about which career paths are more suitable for you. You can plan your future more clearly by taking a career assessment, reading relevant articles or taking lessons from your seniors.
Participate in more internships, part-time jobs or volunteer activities to experience different industries first-hand, which not only enriches your resume, but also helps you determine whether a career is a good fit. Take the initiative to make friends with successful people in your field of interest and listen to their experiences, their advice may give you a lot of inspiration.
Set realistic short-term and long-term goals based on personal interests and abilities. Short-term, such as obtaining a teaching license or completing an internship, and long-term can be employment or further study. Achieving these goals step by step reduces uncertainty and increases self-confidence.
Don't forget to be forgiving to yourself, there are challenges at every stage of life, and being lost is actually part of growing up. Don't be too hard on yourself. I believe that through positive adjustments, you will find your own path. If you need more support, you can always seek professional psychological help. I wish you all the best for the rest of your life!
