Let's be real. College is stressful.

Whether you're taking 12 credits or 18 credits, engaged in extracurriculars on campus, working a job, or trying to focus on personal development, college is one of the most stressful times of your life. You're trying to learn something, hopefully a few things, that will prepare you to enter the "real world".

Aside from all of the personal responsibility, and depending on your schedule, you probably have too much free time. Most people I know don't take Friday classes; that's potentially an entire day that you can lounge around in your pajamas and watch Netflix, recovering from Thirsty Thursday or from a few sleepless nights.

Free time comes with choices: the choice to sit in your room, or the choice to get out into the world and make something happen.

In our culture, many people equate college with keg parties and red solo cups. "It's the best time of your life", a general maxim thrown around at high school graduation parties by dads who were once Frat Bros. "Don't blink or you might miss it."

But if you're preparing for the rest of your life, wouldn't you want to head into your future with a foundation of "good choices"? Or is college about finding yourself and accepting that you will make some mistakes?

Experimenting with drugs and alcohol can be fun. Really fun. At one point, it was my sole focus. Not learning, not expanding my horizons, not meeting new people. It became a game: how high can I get today? How many drinks until I black out? How many to make the walk to my friend's apartment feel just right?

But I think that's a really small-minded view to have about college. For a lot of people, it's the first time they're exposed to drugs and alcohol, the first time they have a ton of freedom to do whatever they damn well please. For some people, it becomes too much.

I'm here to tell you that it's okay to find this out the hard way. It's okay to make mistakes. I do NOT condone the use of illegal drugs or underage drinking. Please, I beg of you, wait until you're 21 to participate. It's worth the wait, and it's not worth risking your entire future.

But if you do happen to find yourself in a bad place, in a spot that you feel like you can't get out of, due to excessive drug or alcohol use, please reach out. Tell someone: a friend, a family member, a professor that you're close with who knows you and your character. A mental health professional.

College is really stressful, especially when you get into your junior and senior years, as you're taking upper-level classes, taking on internships, and are given more responsibility on executive boards or in other extracurriculars.

Using our "party culture" may not be the way for you to de-stress from a long week. Don't feel bad, and don't feel pressured to do anything that you don't want to do. No one will think less of you.

Keep a lookout for some great ways to de-stress from school without turning to the party scene.

Also, if you are struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues, please call SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).