Have you ever thought that you were losing your mind because of how stressed you were or that you must be the only college student that feels the way you do? You're wrong. Truth is, we're all in this together. We all have those days when we would love to just drop everything, but we don't because we know the end result is going to be so much brighter than our lives are right now. Here are 10 struggles that all college students can relate to.
1. Money
A huge struggle that most college students can relate to is being flat broke. As tuition bills are due and rent is due, suddenly you are out of gas and have no groceries. It's hard to keep up with everything that needs to be paid for when everything starts approaching you at once. Get used to it. We've all been there and will get there again. It's part of being a college student, and it will only get worse from here.
2. Homework/Tests
One thing you will learn from transitioning from high school to college is that the homework and tests get harder, and it is more difficult to keep up with it all. One week you'll have one to two homework assignments due. The next week you'll have four tests, six homework assignments, 3 tutoring sessions, and 2 papers to write. Bare with it and paddle through. You'll make it. What if you make a C on a test you studied all night for? It's okay, and you'll be fine. It happens to everyone. One bad grade does not define you.
3. Procrastination
Obviously, no one wants to do homework that they don't have to do early. When we get a chance to breathe, we do. We all just want a break from time to time. Then suddenly, it's 11:30 p.m. and you have a paper due at midnight. Don't think you're the only person that procrastinates because I can promise you you're not. We all put off assignments until the last minute. I would like to say that it's in our blood. We always find a way to get the job done. You'll be okay.
4. Time Management
When you come into college your freshman year, you will realize really fast that you have to manage your time. When you have sorority events to attend, two jobs to work, and homework and studying on top of that, you will learn how to manage your time. Busy is an understatement when describing a college student. Buy a planner, and write every little thing you have to do in it. You will be surprised with how much it helps you.
5. Late nights, early mornings
If you went to bed at a decent time in high school, you can kiss that goodbye when you move to college. No one goes to bed at 9:00 at night. When you look at your phone and it's two in the morning, you remember you forgot to eat supper. Studying and doing homework can keep you up super late along with working a job. Time gets ahead of you, and you don't go to bed until 3 in the morning and have an 8 am the next morning. It happens to the best of us. It's fine. It's going to be so worth it!
6. Social life
In the midst of work and trying to get all of your schoolwork done, sometimes you forget to have a social life. College is supposed to be the place where you meet your friends for life. It is very important to have a social life, especially if you go to a college where you know no one. Give yourself a break every now and then and go to a party. Go out and meet people. You will never regret meeting your bestfriends. I know I don't.
7. Stress
Stress is probably the biggest struggle for a college student. When everything starts piling up at once and nothing seems to be going your way, stress can overtake your mind. It's a terrible feeling, but one day when you graduate you won't believe the relief you will fill. All of the stressing is going to be worth it in the end. If you need time away from everything, go grab some coffee or take a short nap to ease your mind. Most importantly, give it all to God. You'd be surprised how much that will help.
8. Bad eating habits
When you just got out of an 8 am and you have to be at your next class by 9, it is so easy to run by Chick Fil A and grab a biscuit and chocolate milk and get going to your next class. Eating unhealthy is so easy. It's so hard to go to the salad bar when Chick Fil A, Moe's, and Panda Buffet is right beside it. The freshman fifteen is real people. Try really hard to walk up to the salad bar every now and then. Go exercise during your free time (if that exists.) You'll thank me later.
9. Homesick
Being away from your family can be hard at times, especially when you're sick or just want to get away from college for a minute. Moving from home to college is a huge transition. When you're used to seeing your parents and siblings everyday to seeing them maybe once a month, it can be hard. Call your Mom and Dad, text your siblings, and go home on all of the holidays and weekends that you're free. That's something you will never regret.
10. Reality
Adulthood hits you like a ton of bricks when you move to college. There are so many responsibilities that we have to take care of, and most of the time we are never prepared for it. Handling things on your own is hard. We all think we are ready to be adults until it's actually time to be one. It's stressful and makes you wonder why you were so excited to be where you are now. It's time to grow up now, whether we're ready or not. So soak it up, and dive straight in. You're going to be wonderful!
