With school starting back up again, it can become really stressful for very quickly. Going into my third year of college, I’ve learned a few things to help lessen some of those stressors.
Put yourself out there
It can be really hard to readjust back into a routine, especially when you’ve been on the summer break mindset. The idea of coming to a new school as a freshman can be really daunting and scary. When I was a freshman, I remember moving into my dorm and being completely terrified because I didn’t know anyone and had zero friends. Even though I was only 20 minutes away from home, I was still scared and anxious because I had no one I knew. I had to get out there and start meeting new people. Once classes started, I met new people by talking to them in my classes, since that was the only way (in my head) to meet new people. Luckily, once UTSA had its involvement fair, I realized that maybe joining a club or organization would help me with making friends. So, I decided to join a sorority, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made. I have so many friends that I call my sisters ,and I know that if I ever need anything that they will be there for me in an instant. Joining a group helped me come out of my shell and not be as timid. Now looking back three years later, I see that I am a completely different person now than who I was when I first started school. That same involvement fair also gave me the opportunity to discover Her Campus, which has given me a place to creatively write all my thoughts down and become a better version of myself.
Get a planner
Once classes get started, it can be difficult to adjust from a high school environment to a college environment. You soon realize your professors aren’t going to tell you that you have a missing assignment, or that you got a bad grade on something like your teachers would tell you in high school. This can be a really hard adjustment. My best advice would be to get a planner (I personally love Day Designer), sit down, and get all the dates of when everything is due to write it all in for the semester. This will help tremendously and won’t cause any future confusion with due dates for assignments.
cut yourself some slack
You might learn that you may not make the same grades that you did in high school, and that is completely okay. Being in college gives you the ability to learn that you’re going to fail sometimes, but it’s most important to remember that you’ll always succeed in different things. You might fail at something, but on the other hand, you’ll succeed in so many other things. That’s an important aspect of college life I wish I knew. I always thought growing up that it wasn’t okay to fail at anything, but I’ve realized that I’m not going to be perfect all the time, some things I just never will be good at, and that’s okay.
Another big thing I would tell myself is that it’s okay to be missing home. Being away from home for the first time is really scary, and being in a new environment with new people you aren’t used to is a lot of change at once. This can make people feel like they might’ve chose the wrong school, or even that they don’t want to be there anymore. But the biggest thing I can say about that, is to stick it out. It does get better, and soon enough you’ll be having fun and making lots of friends, having an amazing time in your classes.
ask for help when you need it
However, never be afraid to reach out to someone for help if you’re feeling especially down. There are so many resources that you can go to for help if you aren’t feeling like yourself. Talk to a friend or even an adult if you feel any way that doesn’t feel normal. The adjustment from living at home to living on your own is really big, and it can really take a toll on people. Know you are not alone in this situation, so reaching out to someone can always help and make you feel better. I remember missing home so much, but I knew I needed to stick it out because if I went back home I would not be where I am today. Always remember home is just a phone call away so if you’re ever feeling down about it, you can pick up the phone and call your parents, siblings or even a friend.
One of the most important things I wish I could have told myself three years ago was that the first year of college flies by quicker than you realize. You’ll have such an amazing time and make new friends that will be in your life forever. I am so grateful for all the great people I’ve met while in college. Whether I met them through classes, friends, or organizations. Break out of your comfort zone, talk to people you normally wouldn’t, study what you really love, and don’t be afraid to grow into a new person.