Although I've never been formally diagnosed, I've dealt with anxiety for most of my life. It doesn't help that I am also inherently an emotional person. (Dog videos on Facebook? Midterms and finals? Equal amounts of emotions here, guys.) Coming to college put a strain on my anxiety. So much change happened in so little time, and on top of acclimating to a new environment and trying to make new friends, I also had to ensure that I was passing my classes. After finishing three-quarters of my freshman year, I can say that my anxiety hasn't ever completely gone away (it ebbs and flows), but I've found new ways of dealing with it.
1. Keep A Consistent Bedtime
Coming into college, the stereotypes of what college life (specifically college nightlife) was like were ingrained in my brain. I'm not a party person, and I want to be in my pajamas any time after 8 p.m. However, in the beginning of the year, if I opted to stay in and go to bed early, I felt like I was missing out on something. I felt like I'd be shunned (although by who, I'm not sure - most of my friends are like me as well). However, making sure I go to bed at the same time every night has helped me not only physically, but mentally as well.
2. Similarly, Keep A Consistent Wake-Up Time
This one can be difficult, especially if you're not a morning person like I am (My friend has described me as "The only person to be awake at 8 a.m. on a Saturday."), but for me, it has honestly and truly helped. In my first semester, I was lenient with my alarm times. Knowing my classes started later than my roommate's, I wouldn't get out of bed until she had left the dorm for her first class, which left me alone with my anxieties. Because of this, I started the day on a low note, and felt sluggish throughout no matter how much sleep I'd gotten. Keeping my alarm consistent this semester has pushed me to get out of my dorm and be productive enough to get things done.
3. Get Your Work Done
It may sound self-explanatory, but staying on top of all of the work you need to do (both academic and extracurricular!) can relieve a ton of anxiety. I make lists on the notes app on my phone, and in extreme cases, like midterm or finals week, I write those lists out and color code them. I highlight and prioritize the things I need to get done, and cross them out as I finish them. There is nothing better than a completed to-do list! This has also helped me keep my grades up, especially in classes where I know I'll struggle before the class has even begun, like math. Math is the bane of my existence, but I passed!
4. But, Have Designated Relaxation Time
While I'm getting ready for bed at the end of the day, I watch TV shows or YouTube videos. It's not for a long amount of time, but it's long enough that I feel tired. After a long day of classes, it's nice to know that that time is my own and I don't have to worry about homework or exams for a little bit. Jumping right into bed and falling asleep has never really worked for me, and this does.
5. Stay Connected
Call your family. Talk to your friends. It's easy to feel alone sometimes, especially when all we've been taught to know about college is that we're supposed to be independent. But no matter who we are, we need a support system to get through life.
6. Cut Yourself Some Slack
We all feel anxious at one point or another. We all get stressed, nervous, and emotional (maybe even all three at once). It's normal to feel this way, so let yourself feel. Cry it out, scream, do whatever you need to do, and then clean yourself up and move forward. Anxiety sucks. But you can live with it.
