To think I'm doing something wrong?

[whoamitotellya]

I am a mature student currently doing a HND in social sciences and really enjoying the course. Prior to this, the only education I had had was up to 4th year in academy and I really didn't try hard or do well in school at all.

Anyway, this semester the pressure has seemed to ramp up a bit and we have about 4 specialist study essays to be done, a graded unit project (mini dissertation) and a graded unit exam (3 essay questions in 3 hours).

Everyone seems to be really stressed about it all and in turn is making me quite stressed about the fact I'm not stressed. Some of the work we are getting given is taking people weeks to complete and they're really stressed out by it whereas what might take someone 2 weeks to put together, I can usually get done in 2 days. This is honestly not a boast whatsoever, I am genuinely concerned that I am doing something wrong this semester.

I did well last semester and passed everything and last year passed the HNC with an A. But we are being given work 8 weeks in advance here and told that the research will take us about a month and then another month for writing and I just don't work like that, I prefer to sit down and maybe do the research over a 12 hour stretch and then the writing over a 6 hour stretch the next day but is this going to be detrimental to my work this semester?

I feel everyone in my class is trying so hard and stressing so much and I just don't feel I am but seem to be getting on okay so AIBU I'm thinking that I am missing something?

🤷🏻‍♀️ Some people find things more stressful than others. Some people are just more prone to stress in general. My husband does not stress. Ever. In seven years I've never seen him stressed. Unlike me, alas. Perhaps you find other things stressful that some of them wouldn't!

Are the others on your course mature students too or school leavers?

Are you studying part time or full time? What about the others?

I think everyone works differently. If your way gets you the marks you need it's probably ok. But accept that others will have a different approach.

@Seeline about a quarter of the class are mature students and the rest are school leavers. We are all studying full time. Don't get me wrong there are a few other quiet ones in the class that always seem chilled out and on top of things but the more vocal students are always really in a panic.

Bump

I'd probably double check the requirements of the coursework (e.g. have you done referencing properly, is it of the required length etc.).

That said if you did well last year it's more likely you're just more competent than them. Some people also talk a lot about being stressed (and might genuinely be stressed) without actually doing anything about it.