Do you have a little perfectionist streak, ok, maybe a big one? Whether you have the perfect 4.0 or are just so overwhelmed by school that you don’t even show up to the test, anxiety can make life miserable. Many of the brightest students harbor the fear that one day they will screw up and everyone will realize how “stupid” they truly are. Having spent years in the role of the smart one, the one who’s going to go far, the masks will fall away and everyone will say “She’s not smart after all, she just studied really hard”.

Now don’t panic, I won’t tell your secret to anyone. Everything we discuss is completely confidential as long as you don’t plan to go jump off a tall building or push someone else off of it. But in all seriousness, anxiety does not have to be a way of life for a successful student. You don’t have to cry over your books or tremble the whole way to the exam. In fact, it is completely possible to enjoy your academic career and have a life beyond the books. Look around you, other people do it. Granted, it generally comes to them naturally but you can have that peace and calm as well with a little help.

I know, there is no time! You want the grades and the peace of mind right? The good news is that peace of mind will improve your grades. Think of therapy as a form of tutoring. There will be a lot more space in your mind for the important things when you start to clear out the racing fears and can enjoy the journey.