I am 20 years female living in India and an engineering student. I've been dealing with anxiety since my childhood , sometime's it's low and sometime's it's extreme that I couldn't sit in any social events. But I somehow manage it , but today it is a bad day for me. I had a presentation today , it's my second presentation, somehow I had gave previous one at this time
I am not good at presentations whenever I become a centre of attention, my heartbeat increases , and my voice becomes shaky , I couldn't talk properly
I was not feeling like I could do this one 😞 so I avoid it , but my group memebers were sending me messages , calling me again and again, and I have not picked up thier calls , they told in front of my class that I am not picking calls , not replying texts , I am feeling guilty now...
What my classmates will think of me , they will not include me in any groups from now on , it's getting in my head now...
What shall I do now, how will I able to answer all their questions, already I am failure and a year down student...
I am failung in every step just because of my anxiety , it's extremely affecting now...
How will I face them all especially my group members 😖😫😫😫😫😫😫😫
They all will laugh at me , will make fun of me...What shall I do now...
Hey there! I completely understand feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes when things get tough, I like to focus on small victories, even getting dressed for class is a win!most people are too focused on their own lives to notice others. CAN you try setting tiny daily goals for yourself?
@DOnt I agree on this. Wanted to add that success isn't about being perfect tho it's about showing up. Each time you walk into that classroom, you're building strength. Your worth isn't determined by others' opinions. You deserve to take up space. Your education matters. Your goals matter. Your dreams matter. Your presence adds value to the classroom. Let your light shine. Focus on your own journey. Keep pushing forward.
Looking at your situation from the outside, I see someone who's incredibly resilient and determined. Your commitment to education despite these challenges shows remarkable strength
Each time you step into that classroom, you're breaking barriers and paving the way for others. Your presence matters more than you realize. Walking through fear is how we grow stronger. Your journey might feel lonely now, but you're creating ripples of change
That discomfort often precedes growth. Your story is still being written. Your future holds endless possibilities. Trust in your journey. Which part of your daily school life excites you most?
Hey, I really understand what you're going through. I was once in your shoes and let me tell you my story. I used to be terrified of going to class. I remember having a really bad anxiety attack during my finals. My hands were shaking so much I could barely hold my pen, and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I was sitting there, trying to write, but all I could think about was how everyone could see me freaking out. I thought I would pass out
But you know what? Nobody even noticed. They were all too focused on their own exam to pay attention to me. That's when I realized something important - most people are too busy with their own stuff to judge us the way we think they do
I started going to therapy (there's nothing wrong with getting help), and my therapist taught me some breathing exercises. They actually help a lot when I feel an attack coming. I also started talking to one person in my class - just one. She turned out to be really nice and now we're good friends
It took me time, and yes, some days were really hard. Sometimes I still get anxious, but it's getting better. I know it feels impossible right now, but you're stronger than you think. You're already brave for sharing your feelings
If you ever need someone to talk to who really gets it, you can message me. We anxious people need to stick together ❤️
@GentleSpirit Yes , we need to stick together. U know I badly need a friend who can understand me in my every situation. I am giving my best but nothing seems working , I don't have sense to talk to people, to behave , I just look weird , bad , cringy in all situation.
As a teacher who has worked with many young people over the years, I want you to know that your feelings are completely valid. Social anxiety is a real challenge that many students face, and it's not "just in your head." Please know that being different - whether it's being the only Muslim student, wearing a burkha, or having anxiety - is not a weakness. Your differences make you unique and valuable. Have you considered talking to a school counselor or mental health professional? They are trained to help students deal with exactly these kinds of feelings, and they won't judge you. Please be kind to yourself. You wouldn't judge another person as harshly as you're judging yourself. You deserve the same compassion you would show to others
The path ahead might seem overwhelming, but every step forward counts, no matter how small. Hold on there, everthing's gonna be alright 🙏
Small steps are okay. Maybe you could start by attending just one class per day, or sitting at the back where you feel less noticed. You don't have to solve everything at once
Most students are too focused on their own lives to judge others. Those confident students you see? Many of them probably have their own insecurities too, they just hide them well. Your education matters, and you deserve to be in that classroom just as much as anyone else. Don't let anxiety steal your opportunities from you
You mentioned being a year behind, that's okay! Everyone's journey is different, and there's no "right" timeline for finishing school
I've been in similar situations. Social anxiety is so hard to deal with, especially when others can't understand how overwhelming it feels 🫂 I kno exactly what you mean about the mask being like a safety shield, I used to rely on mine too. It feels like it protects us from people seeing our expressions and judging us
The pressure of attendance and uniforms can feel so heavy when we're already struggling just to walk through the door. Please know that you're not alone in feeling this way. There are many of us who struggle with social anxiety, even if we don't show it on the outside
Something that helped me a little was reminding myself that most people are too focused on their own lives to notice the little things we worry about. They're probably dealing with their own insecurities too. Be gentle with yourself - you wouldn't judge a friend harshly for having these feelings, so try to show yourself the same kindness
What helps you feel most comfortable when you do manage to attend class? Maybe you can build on those moments of relative calm🌟
You are so much more than your anxiety. I can tell you that what you're feeling is completely normal. Many students face similar challenges, especially during transitional periods. Build up gradually. Focus on your goals and remember that this phase is temporary!
My best friend went through exactly what you're going through right now. We met in college and honestly, when she told me about her struggles with anxiety in school, I couldn't believe it. She was always smiling and helping others! She told me how she used to skip classes because she was so scared of what others would think, just like you. She was worried about her looks, her expressions, everything
Now she's like this bright light that everyone wants to be around. And the funny thing is, when she told other people about her anxiety, many said they had similar feelings! You'd be surprised how many people are dealing with the same fears. I know it feels impossible right now, but please don't give up
And you know what else? The things we worry about the most, other people usually don't even notice. Everyone is too busy thinking about themselves! The right people will come along who will see your beautiful heart, just like I saw my friend's!
@Riccardo WOW Riccardo, I can totally relate to your friend! I used to be that super shy girl in school who would hide in the bathroom during lunch breaks. Like, I was so scared of talking to people, I would literally plan different routes to my classes just to avoid crowded hallways!
College was where everything changed for me too. I remember my first week, I was terrified! But then I met this amazing group in my art class who just... accepted me? They didn't judge me for being quiet, and slowly I started feeling more comfortable just being myself
@Riccardo No way! That's literally me now! I went from hiding in corners to running the drama club meetings. Sometimes I look back and can't believe I'm the same person. You know what's wild? Last week I gave a presentation to like 100 people, and my old self would have passed out just thinking about it!
I used to wear only dark colors to "blend in" with the walls (as if that would work, lol). Now my wardrobe looks like a rainbow exploded in it! It's so weird how we try to make ourselves invisible when we're anxious. These days I'm like "HERE I AM WORLD!" Sometimes I even surprise myself with how chatty I've become!
@Darlene McGee that's exactly what happened with my friend! It's crazy how many people go through this, right? She also used to take different routes to avoid people. These days she laughs about it, but back then it was so real. The funny thing is, now she's the one organizing study groups and helping other shy students feel comfortable
@Darlene McGee That's amazing! My friend says the same thing, she actually became a teaching assistant last semester. It's like watching a butterfly come out of its cocoon, you know?
And yes, my friend was exactly the same always in black or navy. Now she's the one giving fashion advice to others! You know what she told me recently? She met another shy student in her class and recognized that same look of anxiety she used to have. Instead of just letting it go, she went up and started chatting with her. I hope they become like best friends or somthing!
The whole uniform situation sounds super stressful, especially with the attendance requirements. Social anxiety is no joke, it can make simple things feel impossible. Have you considered talking to your professors about your situation? Some of them might be more understanding than you think. But the whole uniform thing adds another layer of pressure. But remember, your presence makes the campus better. Don't let anxiety tell you otherwise.