Stressed and in despair

Casualcontrol1

I am feeling a little overwhelmed as of late. I'm mid twenties and went back to college this year, I love my course but this semester the work load has increased three fold and while I love it I just don't have time. I am working part time at weekends at a crap job, I work until 9.30 at night every Saturday and Sunday's aswell and my boss is a toolbox. I don't see my friends anymore and I haven't had a night out since last August and that was with my last work place. In addition to this I have to drive an hour each way every day and the whole thing is too much. My anxiety has returned and I feel sick to my stomach when I think about work and get chronic headaches as of late. What should I do? Please help because I am in despair at this stage

sadie06

Please don't despair. This is a tough time, but hopefully you will look back and congratulate yourself on getting through it!

Do you like your course apart from the workload? Can you focus on the endgame, and this being something that you really want? Push on through. Your friends will be there when come out the other side. Send a group mail saying as much and organising a big night out post semester.

First of all, make relevant people in the department aware of your struggles. They may stagger your workload or make other small allowances for your situation. A couple of sessions with a college counsellor may help to alleviate the acute anxiety also.

Re: your commute, what do you listen to? Can you try to see these couple of hours as time away from work of all sorts? If music doesn't help with the stress, how about some audio books, especially something that will engross you or make you laugh. Those two hours are your least demanding of the day, so find a way to enjoy them.

Re: your job. Can you reduce your hours at all?

Hang in there! You can do it.

Casualcontrol1

I love my course and I never miss a minute of class. It's my priority and I don't mind the workload I actually enjoy the study but I just find I have no time to myself.
I went to the doctor last week and she said I was stressed. I started counselling today and it made me feel really positive so im going back again next week.
The job is horrible, it's in a rough environment and I had a horrible experience a few weeks ago where I even had to call security for my safety. I just hate it

sadie06

Well done in engaging with a counsellor. It sounds like changing jobs would eliminate a lot of your stress, so keep your ear to the ground.

whatawaster81

Yes what I read in your post its the job that's the problem, if you can't afford to jack it in definitely look for a new one.