Feeling Stressed and Overwhelmed? This Might Help

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“There was that law of life so cruel and so just which demanded that one must grow or else pay more for remaining the same.” — Norman Mailer

Take a deep breath.

No, seriously—take one. Right now. Hold it for a second. Then let it out.

Feeling overwhelmed? That’s okay. Feeling a little unsure about whether you’re ready for this? Also okay. But here’s the truth: you are ready. You wouldn’t be here otherwise.

I know that the first assignments might seem like a mountain of expectations, unfamiliar processes, and a whole lot of “what even is this!?” But here’s the good news: you don’t have to climb that mountain alone. We are a learning community, which means we support each other—not just for individual success, but for our collective growth.

Yes, there’s a lot to do. That’s graduate school. But let me tell you a secret: if you approach it step by step, if you stay meticulous, if you ask questions when you get lost or frustrated, you will get through it. More than that—you’ll come out the other side stronger, smarter, and more capable than you ever imagined.

Professionalism is key, but so is risk-taking. Wikipedia has a simple but powerful guiding principle: be bold. That means you don’t need permission to try, to experiment, to push boundaries. Trust yourself. Mess things up. Get a little lost. That’s how you grow.

As many of you have already acknowledged in your introductions, most of this work is going to take you out of your comfort zone. That’s intentional. The only way to grow is to stretch beyond what you know. It’s not supposed to feel easy. If it did, it wouldn’t be worth doing.

So breathe. Trust yourself. And if you ever feel like you’re in over your head, just remember: there’s no problem we can’t tackle together.

Now go forth and be bold.

:peace_symbol:

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Dr. Lucas, this was an encouraging post to read. I appreciated other students describing how overwhelming or disorienting these new platforms can be. I also struggled with setting everything up and using the platforms. It is nice to know that we are not alone. I already feel more at ease and excited for the semester ahead! :+1:

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That’s great to hear! :clap: I know there’s a lot to do initially, but it will get easier as the semester progresses. Thanks for your reply! I’m here to collaborate through every step the process. :+1:

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This was a very helpful post ! Trying to get set up, reading and re-reading to understand if I read it right. I was feeling overwhelmed at first but now I feel better. I do appreciate this post !

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Also relevant to this thread:

The labyrinth of links!

Some of you have mentioned that you’re getting lost in the links, like Theseus without a thread. I get it—sometimes it feels like clicking on one link just leads to another, and then another, until suddenly you’ve fallen down a Wikipedia rabbit hole and are reading about the mating habits of octopuses instead of completing your assignment.

So, why do I include so many links, sometimes even redundant ones? Simple: redundancy is a feature, not a bug. I design the course so that the most important information is accessible in multiple places. This way, no matter where you are in a module, syllabus, or discussion, you can find your way back to what you need without having to remember exactly where you saw it last.

How to Keep from Getting Lost in the Links

  1. Use the “Back” button – Sounds obvious, but if you find yourself too deep into a web of links, just backtrack a few steps to where you started.

  2. Open links in a new tab – Right-click (or Command-click on Mac) to open a link in a new tab. This keeps your original spot saved so you can return to it easily.

  3. Follow the “one-click rule” – If you open a link and it doesn’t immediately seem relevant, close it and refocus. If something is crucial, I’ll link to it again elsewhere.

  4. Bookmark or take notes – If you find something useful, bookmark it or jot down a quick note so you don’t feel like you have to track it down later.

  5. Ask for directions – If you feel truly lost, Ask Dr. Lucas or a classmate! That’s what we’re here for. See my OG post above.

Remember: the links are there to help, not to trap you. The goal is to give you multiple paths to understanding, so don’t feel pressured to click on everything all at once. Navigate with intention, and soon enough, you’ll feel at home in this digital learning space.

:peace_symbol:

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Sure thing! :+1:

Also remember: you guys are working on real projects, not just assignments. I look good if you do a good job, especially as the Digital Editor of The Mailer Review. If you give it your all, I won’t let you fall down.