5 Tips for Reducing Stress in Your First Year of College
Are you starting your first year at college? (Cue the mix of emotions) You may notice the ebb and flow of a plethora of feelings. Excitement and sadness over leaving home, excitement and worry about making new friends, fear or dread about starting academic classes, and lots of overwhelm about making it ALL happen. Guess what, if you feel those or any sort of range of emotions about college, this is NORMAL. Leaving for school is a huge transition that comes with a lot of planning, changes, and adjustments. The good thing is, there are some things you can put into place to help make that transition a little easier and hopefully cut down on some stress.
Don’t go home every weekend. I’ll be the first to admit, I wanted to go home quite often especially when those feelings of homesickness got bad. I get it, but don’t. Staying on campus through the weekend allows you to check out events, get involved in organizations, or meet your soul mate at the gym. (Cheesy, I know, but you have to add humor to this stuff) Most bigger schools have events through the weekend and, if not, that still gives you time to meet others in your dorm. Having a support system at school is super important for your mental health.
Don’t approach your academic classes like you did in high school. College classes are a whole new ball game. Each class can even be vastly different in structure, expectations, and rigor. Make sure you get to your first class, get the syllabus, and READ IT. Even the professional procrastinators could not jump in last minute and get specific assignments done. Once you get that bad grade, it is so hard to bring it back up. Also, most professors give a small grade for attendance (so get out of bed and go, even if you’re in your pajamas). Sure it may seem small, but having that attendance grade at the end of the semester to boost your overall grade is a lifesaver and will hopefully decrease some stress.
Don’t go all passive-aggressive on your roommate. Whether your roommate is a rando or your best friend from high school, you’re probably going to have some conflict. You are two humans living in a small space. Don’t hold in all those little things that drive you crazy, because eventually you’re going to explode. If you feel you can’t have the conversation with your roommate, then find someone to help. A lot of times RAs (resident assistants) are there to help when that conflict comes up and can be some of the best mediators.
Don’t ignore your mental health. Going to college can be so much fun but also can be so stressful! Make sure you’re eating halfway decent, getting some physical activity, and trying to sleep. These things are the foundation for good mental health. If you’re doing all those and still feeling down or super stressed, then it may be time to reach out for help. A lot of colleges have counseling for students on campus or resources to find a local therapist.
Don’t think you have to “do it all”. You don’t have to know your future career on day one. You don’t have to join all the clubs and sports. You don’t have to make a million friends, or love the college, or go to all the football games. Humans compare themselves A LOT and then add in social media….well, that can really get the judgements in your brain flowing. Think about what you want to get out of your college experience and start slow. You’re going to figure it out. If you need help with career exploration or finding the right groups on campus, reach out to the campus career center, student union, or your advisor for guidance.
Overall, going to college is so awesome, but also really overwhelming. Give it time and give yourself some slack. When things feel like they aren’t going so well, don’t be afraid to ask for help. You’ve got this!!
**If you think you’d like to work with me throughout your time in college, then please feel free to reach out! I always provide a free 15-20 minute initial consultation call to discuss treatment options, answer questions, and make sure we both feel it is a good fit.
#anxiety #stress #therapy #psychotherapy #counseling #georgia #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #mindinbloomcounseling #selfcare #copingskills #telehealth #anxietyhelp #ocd #ocdhelp #stressrelief
