College can be a great experience. Freshman year is full of new experiences, but when sophomore year comes around a lot can change. The stress can become overwhelming, the scholarships run out, and classes get more difficult. So many things about college is amazing but there are a few things that need to be addressed.

So many 19-year-old students are already in debt. Yes, in debt because they are doing what society wants. We are pursuing degrees and furthering our education to make ourselves a viable applicant for the job industry. BUT... college is not for everyone. Trade schools are a great option and it costs way less to have the skills for a successful career. I wish that these types of schools were promoted to high school students so that they don't think that college is the only option.

Another factor that needs to be addressed is how students rarely learn about stress, anxiety, and depression in high school or even at college orientation. I had no idea that anxiety and depression were real diseases until my freshman psychology class. I personally think that these topics need to be addressed in college orientation so that students know that these are real and that there are services to help them get through it.

Some college students are lucky to get 5 hours of sleep a night. I personally know people that try to survive on 20 minutes of sleep a night. Sleep is viable to a humans survival and well-being. College students have low immune systems because of lack of sleep and enormous amounts of stress on top of that.

Some students come into college knowing that they have anxiety and /or depression. Other students come to college and you can see it develop. There are so many requirements students need to fulfill to be able to graduate and move on to grad school. Mental health is a real issue among students. We are stressed trying to find time to study, be involved on campus, maintain friendships and romantic relationships, have fun for a moment, network, keep a professional appearance, keep at least a 3.5, and have personal time.

I know that learning to manage stress, depression, and anxiety are very helpful for becoming a successful college student. I hope that others realize this and don't let college suck the light out of them.

I have lost myself since I have been at college. I am a constant ball of stress, wondering what I am going to do with my future. I breakdown and avoid work because there is so much of it. I have lost the things that I love to do. I go through the motions every day, don't get me wrong, I love learning and I love college, but sometimes college isn't for everyone. College is killing me.