Why is/can studying/learning stressful?

jsmoke

jsmoke

jsmoke

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It may not be stressful for everyone but I think most find studying for exams stressful, why is this. We are just absorbing information, why don't we do this with joy and happiness, is it a fear of failure, a fear of responsibility, laziness, or what is it.

Learning is 'enjoyable' when at the comport of your own armchair/PC but when your put to the test not necessarily so unless your a bit narcissistic or a genuine academic.
 
For me, It's the fear of failing. However, the feeling of going into an exam after studying hard and knowing all the answers and ultimately coming out the other side with a decent grade is way worth the worries and effort IMO.
 
learning at academic level you need certain sets of skills and discipline. it is stressful because you want to do your best and they make it hard to test your abilitys more
 
its because there's a fear of something bad happening if you dont pass, the body doesnt understand the concept of failing an exam and its consequences, so it treats it like a real threat [eg tiger or somesuch] and you get real fear and stress build up.

at least thats my theory anyway, but i'm by no means a medical man.
 
Depends on the subject, if it's something I find intresting then I will continue to learn. If I don't my mind wanders, and I constantly think of better (more enjoyable to me) things to be doing.
 
I don't think learning itself is stressful but the examination results which can, if things go badly, end up with you cleaning the toilets in the 24 hour McDonalds on the M6.
 
I have never really got stressed by exams (at least until I'm physically sitting them and feeling the time pressure), for the following reasons:

-Opportunity to prove how good I am
-No homework during exam time
-More free time i.e. no lessons, lectures etc
-Assessed based on academic ability/performance rather than 'soft skills' like you are in an interview situation
-Usually (but not always) has a reward at the end of it in terms of a qualification or somesuch

On the more general 'learning' front I tend to procrastinate and thus can get a bit stressed as deadlines are looming.
 
Boredom. It's hard to enjoy every last aspect of a subject you're studying, as the mind starts to wonder it onsets stress as you're not learning/completing work as quick as you'd like to.
 
Exams have always stressed me out to the point of sickness. Studying itself no, whether it be for pleasure or career progression. Unfortunately the latter involves exams.
 
Studying equates to banging your head against a wall. Bang hard and long enough and eventually you get it all inside.
 
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jsmoke said:
It may not be stressful for everyone but I think most find studying for exams stressful, why is this. We are just absorbing information, why don't we do this with joy and happiness, is it a fear of failure, a fear of responsibility, laziness, or what is it.

Learning is 'enjoyable' when at the comport of your own armchair/PC but when your put to the test not necessarily so unless your a bit narcissistic or a genuine academic.
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Because I spent 99% of my time ****ed as a newt, then 1% panicking like **** about exams.

Thankfully I hobbled through it all, and now I have a lovely job.


Learning is a piece of **** is you take the time to actually go to classes and study. I genuinely believe everyone has the capacity to learn everything if they give it a decent attempt. The problem is when you don't. (duh :p )
 
I think we are naturally inclined only to ever exert ourselves properly with something we love..I never studied well because i hated school really. I've sort of come full circle with that though, i like studying more now.

"Find what you love and let it kill you" Bukowski
 
RogerMesenseless said:
For me, It's the fear of failing.
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I can relate to this. I always had expectations which were way too high. Both my own expectations and those of others.

Then the fear of not achieving what you feel you should is quite crushing and debilitating.

Unfortunately I also completely lack discipline. No surprise I flunked uni, really :( Kinda wish I never went. I'd be better off financially now if I hadn't.
 
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