No matter who you are and how well prepared you feel about college, the transition can feel daunting. Starting college as a Freshman or transfer student brings up concerns and worries around what classes will be like, the friends you’ll make, how you’ll get along with your roommates, and can you really do this on your own. All of this leaves you feeling like you are falling behind before you even begin.
“Which extracurriculars will look best for my major?”
“Should I start looking at my textbooks before class to get a head start?”
“What if everyone already has friend groups?”
These are all normal feelings that many will handle without difficulty while others will need more support. Worrying prior to the event will only create more anxiety in the long run. Instead of focusing on what could happen, or the “what if’s?”, preparing for what you can control is always beneficial. So, what does that look like?
First, identify some routine steps of your day that seem mundane to you now. Noting small things that introduce familiarity to a new surrounding can help ease anxiety. With college, your schedule provides for a lot more freedom, which can easily be taken advantage of. Keeping habits that work for you and forming new ones for your new lifestyle are great ways to organize time around responsibilities to prioritize well-being.
Mental, emotional, physical, and social wellbeing are key parts of a well rounded college experience. You’re attending college to learn and earn a degree in a field of your interest, yes, and you’re there to learn to live independently and provide for yourself. Remember that becoming independent does not need to mean doing everything for yourself without any support. Family members, friends and trusted individuals that were there for you before to rely on have not left you. Reach out and seek their support. Everyone no matter the age or circumstance in life needs support from others.
What needs to be on the priority list when it comes to you! Noticing how much exercise you’re getting, what you’re eating, who you’re surrounding yourself with, and what you’re doing for just yourself.
The great part about these keystones is that a lot of them crossover:
- Exercise? Joining a club sport or taking a walk with friends is a great way to get exercise, fresh air and sun, as well as conversation about mutual interests.
- Finding friends, or even one person, to spend meaningful time with can satisfy the human need to make connections and avoid feelings of loneliness.
- Eating? What you put in your body doesn’t just affect what you look like. Food is fuel for your brain, giving you the energy to work and study efficiently, and participate in activities that interest you. Setting aside time in the day to make sure you’ve eaten is crucial, because you won’t be as effective in your tasks if you skip time to nourish your mind and body.
If you’ve heard it all a million times, there’s a reason. Self-care is NOT selfish. It is the most rewarding thing you can do to support yourself with being the best YOU possible. You won’t be able to offer as much of yourself to others without taking time to care for your needs first. This doesn’t have to be extravagant; self-care time is unique to every person. Getting to know yourself is crucial to finding what kind of self-care works for you. Consider things you enjoy, motivate you, and provide you with happiness.
Spending time alone or spending time with people who don’t drain your social battery are great ways to refill your cup. Eating and drinking water will increase your energy levels. Participating in an activity, like watching a show or movie, reading a book, spending time outside, are all forms of self-care. Sleeping is one of the best things to do for your mind and body. Prioritizing routine sleep schedules will help to rest your body and your mind. Your mind needs rest to process your day and reset for the next one. No assignment is worth losing sleep over, which I know sounds like complete lunacy to some people. You’re human and sleep is not for the weak.
This information is useful for everyone, including those who are returning to college for another year. The challenges of each year are unique to the goals you have for yourself and the expectations of the program you are in. Identifying resources at your school is a great way to reach out for help in a convenient way. Every school offers a counseling center, which can be found on your school’s website.
Living with another person in small quarters doesn’t allow for much privacy, so finding a private spot on campus is a great way to get some alone time for whatever you need and not be interrupted. Some libraries offer study rooms that can be reserved, which is a great space to use if you are participating in telehealth sessions with a therapist. Some schools, especially after virtual learning during covid, offer telehealth counseling rooms for zoom therapy sessions. Finding privacy for therapy allows you to regain space for yourself that feels safe.
Colleges and Universities understand and expect these struggles around transitions from students, which is why they offer these resources and many more. Your advisors and professors want you to be successful with growing through your college experience. Utilize them to support, especially if you are experiencing setbacks. How you choose to support yourself and react to challenges and perceived failures matters not the challenges or perceived failures themselves.