STRESS-RELIEF 103: THE “CRIME” OF NOT HAVING A PLAN B

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If you’re a student, you probably know this feeling.



One moment you’re thinking, “I’ve got this. Everything is under control.”
And the next moment, everything suddenly feels like it’s falling apart.

Assignments. Exams. Deadlines. Life decisions.
Sometimes it all piles up at once.

In criminology, we call it Risk management; in life, we call it A Plan B.

In simple terms, risk management means preparing for problems before they happen.

But here’s the thing:  a lot of people misunderstand what a Plan B really is.
It’s not something you only think about after you fail. It’s something that helps protect you before things even get that bad.

One theory we study in criminology is Routine Activity Theory ~Lawrence Cohen & Marcus Felson (1979).

It says that for a crime to happen, three things usually come together.

1. A motivated offender.

2. A suitable target.

3. Absence of a capable guardian.

Now imagine applying that idea to stress.


The motivated offender becomes stressed.
The suitable target becomes you.
And when there’s no capable guardian, that’s when burnout or a breakdown happens.

So what’s the guardian in real life?

Your Plan B.

Your Plan B is that protective layer that keeps everything from collapsing when things don’t go exactly the way you planned.

And the interesting part is that Plan B isn’t just about the future.
You need it right now, too.

Plan B While You’re Still in School

Sometimes our Plan A as students sounds like this:

"I’ll read for six hours straight today."

But let’s be honest, the body doesn’t always cooperate.

That’s where Plan B comes in.

Maybe Plan B is allowing yourself to rest, sleep, and come back with a clearer mind.
Maybe it’s starting revisions early so that if you get sick or busy during exam week, you’re not completely stuck.

A Plan B in school is basically creating a buffer for yourself.
It gives you room to breathe when things don’t go perfectly.

Plan B for Life After School

Then there’s the bigger picture.

Most of us have a dream job or a career path we want.
But depending on only one path can be risky.

Your Plan B might look like:


1. learning a new skill

2. Taking online courses

3. Networking with people outside your usual circle.

4. Starting something small, like a blog or business

5. Learning a new language

For me, things like crochet and digital tools are part of that Plan B.

Not because I’ve given up on my main goals, but because life is unpredictable.

A Plan B is actually a weapon against guilt.

The Truth About Plan B

Having a Plan B doesn’t mean you believe Plan A will fail.

It simply means you’re wise enough to prepare for uncertainty.

When you know you have another option, something interesting happens:
You become less anxious and more confident.

Because even if things shift, you already know you’ll find another way forward.

And sometimes, having that safety net actually gives you the courage to aim even higher.

Survival Tip: Stop looking at your backup plan as a 'failure.' Look at it as a strategy. If you can't do the big thing, do the small thing. "Just don't do nothing."

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