Congrats! You are now (or close to) being considered an adult. Heading to college this fall, you’re excited at being on your own! Independence and responsibility are in your future. What if I were to tell you, there is still plenty of growing that will happen? Although many believe that eighteen is the magic “you’re a grown-up now” age, it seems that your brain begs to differ. So what is happening in that big head of yours during college?

It has been shown by current brain scans that the brain of an 18-year-old wildly differs from that of a person in their 20s. Our brains are still developing far into our 20s. Young people are at a peak in physical and mental abilities, but it can also be a dangerous time. The addition of bad diets, binge drinking, and sleep deprivation can actually hurt your brain.

Ramen Noodles. A true staple in the “college kid diet,” but can this salty snack be hurting you? Researchers have known since the '80s that excessive fat and salt consumption can contribute to a decline in mental health resulting is diseases like Alzheimer’s. Although we shouldn’t give up a 10-cent meal at the grocery, maybe adding in a little fruit or going home for a nice meal can really help our entire body.

Parties. In every college movie, there are about 20 parties in a five minute period. Researchers have found that binge drinking is actually hurting your brain too! Those late night parties will not help you pass that biology class. It has been found that at least 44 percent of college students drink enough alcohol to be classified as binge drinkers, and some drink enough to be considered an alcoholic. This is really hurting your ability to think. One night of binge drinking is enough to impair your ability to think well for up to thirty days!

Sleep. You may be losing sleep over parties or cramming for a math test, either way, both bad for you. Being a teenager, you need a certain amount of sleep to function each day. Sleeping plays an incredible role in memory and functioning on a day-to-day basis. Young adults should seek about nine hours a night. After especially taxing days, many should try for even more. Researchers have estimated that about 80 percent of undergraduates are sleep deprived. Although finishing that paper is all that is on your mind at 2 a.m, maybe next time plan ahead so you can get all the sleep you need.

Mental health depreciates during college as well. Anxiety and depression become a constant struggle and many students feel helpless during college. According to a UCLA study, more than 29 percent of college freshman report feeling overwhelmed by school. At this time, recorded mental health is at an all-time low. Almost 45 percent of women and 35 percent of men have reported feeling so depressed they couldn’t function. If you are ever feeling this way, visit your student health services and talk to someone.

Your brain is going through a lot while you’re in college. You are learning new things and your brain is changing. While you are focusing on these changes and becoming an adult, remember to keep your health in mind. Get enough sleep, eat better meals, and make sure to speak with someone if you feel crappy. You’ll make it through the rough time. Think of the fun and adventures you’ll have throughout college! It’s a great time of personal growth and change.

If you feel there is no one around you can talk to about any mental health issues please call the suicide prevention hotline: 1‑800‑273‑TALK (8255) or visit their website.