Dear Overwhelmed College Student,
Times can be stressful. It may feel like the whole world is crashing down and that it is time to just give up; but none of that is true, I promise. I was in the same boat last year and I wish someone would have given me helpful advice to survive. That is what I am here for, to give you helpful advice, that way things do not feel so stressful.
1. It is SUPER important to stay organized.
Yes, I know, it seems obvious but it really is harder than it sounds. You are going to have so much to keep up with, from homework to club meetings. It is important to stay organized. Get a planner that has space for you to write down homework due dates, exam days, meeting times, and basically anything that has a date you need to remember. Try to write these in advance, that way you can prioritize everything.
2. Speaking of prioritize, make sure to do it!
It is okay if you have to miss the Friday night basketball game or that one club meeting to study for your exam on Monday. There will be more games and you can email the club president for a list of things that were covered at the meeting. Exams and homework should come first. Get those done then you have a ton more time to do what ever else you want.
3. This is not high school anymore.
You cannot get away with not studying and then getting a good great. Study! Do your homework! Go to class! Missing class will put you so far behind. Not all of your professors will post the lecture notes online, so if you miss the lecture, you are going to be behind. Make sure you take notes you are actually able to study from. Reading straight from the book is going to be harder than studying off of the notes from class. Also, really dedicate time to studying. College exams are extremely intense. Sometimes these exams are cumulative, sometimes they are not. Either way, studying is a must! Personally, I study best at the library or in the music hall, since I am a music major. It is easiest to study when you avoid all distractions. Grab a snack, tea or coffee, and get cracking.
4. It is okay to not understand something!
Not everyone is going to be a math wiz. Trust me, I know I was not. If you do not understand something, ask for help or go to tutoring. Most colleges offer some form of free tutoring, so there is not a reason you should not be going! Email your professors for help, too. They will appreciate you asking for help rather than just falling behind; it shows you really care about doing well. This applies for more than just classes. If you are lost, confused about where something is, or how something works, do not be afraid to ask another student, your residential advisor, or a counselor. There is no such thing as a stupid question.
5. Don't be afraid to meet the people on your floor, in your classes, or in clubs.
Get to know them because they could not only make a good friend but can also really help you with classes or life. Those people can introduce you to many new things and experiences you never thought you would do. With that being said, also keep an open mind. You will meet a lot of new people who will want to show you new things. Do not be afraid to push boundaries and try new things.
6. Take care of yourself!
Make sure you eat, stay hydrated, exercise, and get plenty of sleep! Running yourself ragged is going to make it harder to do things well. With little sleep, it is difficult to stay awake in class. Eating and staying hydrated will give you the energy you need to carry out daily tasks. Exercise is a good stress reliever; especially after a long day of classes and studying, it will be good to get your blood pumping. Also, the freshman fifteen is real! If you do not know what that means, be careful. The freshman fifteen is the fifteen pounds you gain after your freshman year. Oh boy, let me tell you, it is real. I spent many days stress eating junk food because I was overwhelmed with classes. So, take care of yourself.
7. Have fun!
Keep this advise in mind but also make time to have fun. Do not stress too much about everything; college is a learning experience. It is the freest time of your life but it is important to be responsible. In the end, everything will be okay. Sometimes you have to say it out loud, "I will graduate. I will get a good job. Everything will work out just fine." Now, take a deep breath and smile! You cannot have a rainbow without a little rain. The storm will pass. Good luck and keep up the good work!
Sincerely,
The college student who survived
