Decision-making is no easy task. Big decisions like choosing a college can leave you feeling overwhelmed and anxious.
Luckily, there are a few strategies you can use to ease the stress and feel good about your choice. Here are six ways to help eliminate anxiety and tackle major decisions.
Take Time to Think It Through
Take time to reflect and think about what you want. A big decision is something that shouldn’t be rushed. If you take the time to think upfront about how to make a difficult decision, you’ll be more prepared when it comes to making a final choice. Take a step back and ask yourself the following questions:
- Why am I making this choice?
- How will this affect me in both the short and long-term?
- Does this align with my personal values?
- Am I making this decision for myself or for others?
- How will my decision impact others?
- Will I regret my decision in the future?
Give Yourself a Break
Go for a run, take a nap, or meditate—let your mind relax. It’s good to think hard about difficult choices, but don’t overdo it. Overanalyzing can make any decision a more confusing and stressful process.
Consider Your Options
Write out a pros and cons list. Collecting your thoughts and seeing the big picture with each option spelled out can help you make a well-informed decision.
Talk It Through with Others
Talk to people you trust, like family and friends, who will give you an honest answer. A fresh perspective can help you see difficult decisions from a different angle.
Listen to Your Gut
It might sound scary, but research suggests that intuition serves you well. Listening to your gut can help you make decisions that are more in line with your values. Just be careful not to confuse intuition with wishful thinking.
Trust Yourself and Move Forward
Once you make a decision, avoid dwelling on it. Let go of any fears you have and know that there is no “perfect” choice. Be confident with your decision and move forward.
With an important college decision on the horizon, your senior year will be filled with difficult choices to make. Since your college choice will affect you for the next four years, most students don’t take this decision lightly. By following these tips, you can tackle these and any tough decision that comes your way.
