Hard days. I’ve only been in college for two months, and there has already been a lot on my plate. Wherever you are in college, you have definitely experienced times where you’ve just wanted to pull all your hair out. Hard classes, midterms, and issues –whether on campus or back home– can all add to the stress and exhaustion.
With all this going on, you need time to breathe. Not hyperventilate! Just to take a moment away from it all, and make it refreshing. Here are some of my suggestions.
When the sun is out, it’s good to be like a plant. Go out in it. Or just sit by some windows. At Augustana, Lindberg is a great spot for this, so is the Fishbowl in Gerber. Sometimes, we just need to get outside. You don’t have to take a long walk, but just getting out in the sun for a little, hopefully when the weather is pleasant, can be incredibly refreshing.
Try to find some balance. There is a lot to do while at college, especially for some of you who are in your later years of college. Balance won’t be the same for everyone, so make it for you, not anyone else. You can always talk to others you know to get ideas from them. Friends who themselves are still trying to figure it out. I myself am still trying to place my weights equally on both sides of the scale. If a weight falls off one side and makes everything crazy, that’s okay, just reassess and adjust as needed.
Now, this might sound like a bit of a lecture, but I encourage you to meet the advisors and faculty here. When I’ve gotten to talk to them outside of class, I’ve been able to get help, which is especially needed for me as an undecided student. Even if you have your major already, some things might change and you’ll experience bumps in the road. Building relationships with people on campus can make those challenges feel more manageable. If you meet a faculty member and the meeting doesn’t go well, that’s okay, you can always find someone else who would be more than willing to help. It just might take a little time.
College is hard. But you got this, just need to take it one step at a time, get the help you need when you need it. Remember why you are here. What you are working hard for and (don’t forget the and) taking care of yourself. Both are important for your success.