5 Things You Should Tell Your Support System

College can be stressful beyond belief. There’s no other time in your life quite like your first four years of college. For many students, it’s a time of firsts. Your first time completely away from home. Your first time with seemingly vast freedom. Your first time in charge of yourself. All this independence can become overbearing, can make you feel anxious. In fact, according to the National College Health Association, 23.7% of college students reported suffering from anxiety and feeling an academic impact because of it. That’s almost one in four students. Imagine you’re at a table with three of your friends. Look at their faces. Do they seem stressed? Do they seem overwhelmed? Can you even tell?

Now evaluate yourself. Are you the one who’s stressing out? Do you find yourself full of self-doubt? Maybe stress is one of your major food groups; it’s always on your plate. Are your friends there to support you?

If they are, count yourself lucky. You probably don’t tell them enough that they mean the world to you.

Here are five other things you probably don’t tell your support system enough.

1. Sorry for taking you for granted.

2. I appreciate the effort.

3. You make me laugh even when I don’t feel like laughing

4. I’m here for you too (keep holding on).

5. You’re the best, thank you!