The first thing you need to know is that you’re not alone when it comes to stress during college.
There are so many people out there who have dedicated their lives to helping others.
We all go through some rough times as a college student. We’re growing out of our teenaged years and finally understanding the weight of the real world.
Maybe those tuition bills are piling up. Are you parents hovering too close for comfort? Are your new friends not being too friendly or is it getting harder to make friends?
Stress during college is normal. Here’s how to beat it:
Take a deep breath
This isn’t the worst thing that’s ever going to happen to you. It just feels that way. Remember in 6th grade when everyone saw your underwear on accident? No one else really does either. In a few years from now you’ll realize how silly your stress is now. Take a deep breath!
Visit the counseling center
Now, If the stress is becoming too much and maybe it’s more serious than some think, you need to talk to someone. It’s completely different if you talk to a counselor rather than a friend. They know how to ask the right questions, they listen and the VERY best part is that they won’t share your deepest darkest secrets (unless they absolutely have to).
Visit campus life
At my school, we had a department called Campus Life. Essentially, they dealt with the class part of stress in these situations. If you had to go to a funeral or needed to miss class for some reason, they’d write you a note and get it covered. It’s important to do this so that you next stress (grades) doesn’t creep up behind you during all of this mess.
Talk to your RA or Hall Director
These people took jobs to be able to be there for students going through great or hard times. Shoot them a text, email or just stop by their office or room. Tell them that you’d like to talk soon. They’ll be more than happy to talk with you as soon as they have a free minute and will probably drop everything to do so. These people are sort of better than talking with friends because they can’t tell anyone anything you said (again, unless they have to) and they’re a definite third party in your life. Also, since they’re probably older than you, they might know exactly what you’re going through.
Find yourself a mentor
Find a person who you really respect and like. Maybe it’s the professor in the science department, the director in the writing department or the woman who cleans your hallways before class. Find that person that you really connect with and ask them for coffee or to sit outside for a little while. Adults have this sixth sense when it comes to something serious. They’ll know what to do after listening to your problems and give you great ideas. After seeing years of students roll through, it’s not their first rodeo.