It’s a Saturday and all of your friends are out for a girls night. Instead of joining them for dinner and drinks, you decide to stay in and do homework for the first time this semester. You might be starting to regret that decision and spend your night switching back and forth through social media apps to keep up with what your friends are doing. What inside jokes are you missing out on? will they come up the next time you hang out together? FOMO, or fear of missing out, is hitting you hard, but it doesn’t have to.
1. Don’t obsess over social media. While social media can be a great place to keep up with friends and share the perfect picture, it can also foster a huge case of FOMO. Try to break the habit of needing to check social media. There are much more valuable things that need your attention like your homework, for instance.
2. Understand that it’s all about perception. Seeing all of your friends out at a party, traveling the world, or simply living the “perfect” life can make you rethink what you are doing with your life. It’s important to understand that most people only post the positive aspects of their lives, but they have their bad days too. Stop comparing your behind the scenes with others highlight reels.
3. Get your priorities straight. Although it doesn’t seem like it now, there will always be other parties or social gatherings to attend. Even if your friends are pressuring you to go out instead of staying in to study, they will get over it and forget about it tomorrow. College is all about balancing the various aspects of your life, and that starts with learning to say no sometimes.
4. Consider your budget. So you have $17 left in your account and you don’t get paid till next week, Do you spend it all on brunch at Lulu’s or make it last until pay day? It’s so easy to forget the importance of a budget in college, especially when it seems like everyone else has an endless amount of money. Realize that there are better uses for your money than drinks, like saving for the new Fenty foundation that you have had your eye on for weeks.
5. Live in the moment. Practicing mindfulness and being present is necessary in a technology driven society. Try taking a walk, meditating, or journaling to refocus yourself and put your mind on something positive instead of worrying about what you might be missing. Understand that a lot of people deal with FOMO at some point, even those friends that seem to be at every social event. You can always make the choice to appreciate the opportunities that you have. Your GPA will thank you later for skipping that one party before the big exam.
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