Transfer Students vs Stress & Time Management

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With one official month passed of this semester, transfer students are starting to feel the real weight of their courses. Students and professionals emphasize the importance of understanding the layers of stress and its relationship with time management.

In general, students struggle with the idea of having to manage their time independently for the first time. It also can feel more isolating for transfer students who are not as in-tune with the campus or don’t have connections with the people around campus (i.e. professors, advisors, peers, etc). When it comes to stress, there is a cycle of overthinking, which can impact concentration and getting things done.

Marleny Rodriguez, a pre-doctoral intern and clinician at the Student Wellness Center at Rutgers, explains further regarding impacts of drive and discipline: “…burnout is a real thing. You’re just so tired from doing so much work all the time. All those things can really impact motivation. So, if you’re less motivated to do something, it’s harder to do it.”

According to a Google survey conducted exclusively for transfer students, online courses have a heavier workload than in-person courses. Even though some find it appealing that online courses are usually at-your-own-pace, because it is at-your-own-pace it does require more self-discipline of staying on top of the work.

A political science and global studies transfer student, Aslana Soobzokov, has 2 in-person courses and 2 online. This is her second semester at Rutgers after transferring and states that, “I’d say my stress level is half what it was last semester. Still do have some stress, obviously, but it’s a lot less.”

The Google survey also shows that many transfer students feel they sacrifice sleep, exercise, or even family time. The trouble with sacrificing other important aspects of life is that it can add to feelings of stress and frustration with academic work as well as relationships. The survey also showed that, while professors are usually cautious about workload, transfer students feel they don’t always factor in workloads of other classes.

With stress and trouble with time management, it is easy to forget to prioritize mental health and self-care. Rodriguez notes that, “…remembering some self-compassion here, I feel like that’s not talked about enough… It’s important to remember that it’s okay if you don’t accomplish everything you need to do today. You have tomorrow…”.

Rodriguez additionally references the Student Wellness Center and their virtual groups and events. She highlights the Executive Function group, which most directly aligns with time management and focal needs. Plus, there is an Anxiety group and Depression group. These group events are each divided into three sessions across three weeks and do not have to be attended consecutively. The virtual meetings are workshops with different hosts for each and can be found on Engage.

There are many factors that can contribute to stress that range from academics, familial or outside obligations, and personal health factors. While most view time management as objective, Rodriguez emphasizes the subjectivity of stress and time management and how it is all about knowing yourself and your comfort zone.

On the other hand, Aslana Soobzokov highlights her trick for detoxing at the end of the day: “I do at least one thing… just for myself, to end my day on a relaxed note.” She further explains that saving something, especially for the end of the day, can help put your mind at ease and really relax.

As students continue to settle into the semester, it is important to take note of patterns of things that serve their learning and what doesn’t work.