College is rough. That's something we all know. Late nights, midterms, lack of caffeine, missing home, and more. It can be a lot, especially on freshmen. Yet, one of the best things about college is the new experiences and trying a little bit of everything. There's no reason to sit in your dorm room or apartment and sulk!

Here are some surefire ways to lift your spirits!

1. Look up pictures of puppies/kittens/all baby animals.

I'm dead serious. If you're missing your own pooch or feline, take a trip to google images and look up your favorite kind of animal. Whether you get a cute GIF of a corgi trying to figure out how his legs work or you find a piglet in a teacup, you'll at least get a good giggle out of it.

2. Go outside.

Sitting in a cinder block dorm room that doesn't smell like home can be depressing. Get some fresh air and explore your campus. There's definitely a nice big tree somewhere on campus that you can lay under and just relax. It's the perfect time to break out that cute mandala beach towel you bought over the summer to hang in your dorm that you haven't used yet.

3. Explore the dining hall.

We all love food. It may not taste as good as a home cooked meal made with love from your mom, but there's always something new to try. Get yourself in there with a friend and try a little bit of everything. You might even find a new favorite!

4. Listen to music.

That's a pretty normal way to make yourself brighten up, but I'm challenging you to take it to the next level. Grab your hairbrush, put on your pajamas, and put on some jams from your childhood and rock out! Hannah Montana, anyone? Hopefully, if your roommate is there, they'll want to join in.

5. Window shop.

College students are pretty much all broke, that's well-known information. But there is absolutely no reason you can't go window shopping. Go into new stores or old favorites and try things on without looking at the price. Mess around and take some silly pictures with your friends. The memories will give you happiness to last a lifetime.

6. Don't make it more stressful than it has to be.

Yes, you're here to study. But you aren't here to cry every single day while surrounded by textbooks. Budget out your time, take a few deep breaths, and remember that you are on a whole new journey! Don't let sadness and stress bog you down! You've got this!