At the end of the day, we’re all different. No one period, place, or lifestyle will suit everyone. So if you’ve heard that old phrase (“These are the best days of your life…”), know that objectively, that won’t be true for everyone. And that’s okay!
If you have a specific career goal in mind, what do you need to study to get there? Learn more through research or talk to someone in the field. On the other hand, you don’t need to figure your future out now. Does your heart soar when you read Russian literature? You can’t go wrong following your passions! You may feel pressure around this choice, but as long as you believe in your studies (as a means to expand your mind or a tool to get your from A to B) you’ll be just fine.
Create a daily schedule. Make a day-long schedule that includes studying, chores, and most importantly—breaks. This’ll help you use your time super wisely! Stagger your tough courses. If you know certain classes will be tougher than others, don’t take them all at once. Spread them evenly across your 4 years instead. Take easy, fun elective courses. For units that aren’t required by your major, go light. Choose easy extra courses, and talk to peers to get more intel. Break up your work over time. Mark due dates on and plan to get chunks of work done over time, so you’re not forced to pull stressful all-nighters.
If you can’t visit home often, start a countdown for when you can. This’ll help you keep in mind that even though you’re apart now, you won’t be soon! FaceTime, Skype, written letters—talk to your loved ones as often as you can. For your closest connections plan to call at a certain hour or day, and stick to it. As strange as it sounds, just talking about loved ones can make them feel close. When you can, share stories about friends and family with new connections.
Sometimes, students feel guilty for setting time aside for themselves. If you struggle with this, remember that taking a break will actually help you study better later on! Spend time with people who make you feel great. You know that friend who always makes you laugh? They’d be a perfect pal to help with stress relief. If you’re not sure where to start, here are some common stress-relieving activities: meditating, doing yoga, journaling, playing music, and hiking outdoors.
Join a club based on an interest of yours. Next thing you know, you’ll have a new community—one that you already have a ton in common with. Spend time in public places. Your dorm’s common room, coffee shops, and pubs are great—and be open to conversations with new people. Make it a habit that whenever you sit next to someone new in class, you introduce yourself. You might not talk to some again, but for some people, you totally will.
Small, simple changes can make your room feel clean. Try making your bed, clearing your desk’s surface, and putting knickknacks into a mess drawer. [7] X Research source Buy some cheap, easy meals to zap when you’re feeling tired. Ramen, soups, and microwavable rice dishes are all great picks! Keep your clothes looking clean using dewrinkling hacks and using stain-removal hacks.
If you’re worried about what you’ll do after college, reach out to an on-campus or off-campus career adviser. If you’re struggling with your courses and academic stress, talk to an academic advisor instead (this is a resource you’ll find on campus). If you’re struggling with mental health issues, talk to a licensed mental health counselor.
If you’re really struggling, always remember to put your health and happiness first. Reach out to a therapist or a trusted loved one right away and get help if you need it. At the end of the day, no degree is worth as much as your wellbeing. If you don’t feel like you can wait to reflect on the decision, that’s okay. Plus, your school probably offers leaves of absence, too. Reach out to your advisor for more help—this might be the perfect solution for you.
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