Did the mere thought of entering back into your hectic collegiate life just set you off into a panic attack? If so, you’re not alone. Though college is a time for friendship and fun it is also very stressful and hard to balance. Here are a few things that I do to help keep me sane during the first few weeks of the semester.
Write down your schedule.
If you have the overwhelming urge to shout “nerd” at people using planners, just take a second to think about how it could enhance your life. I write down exactly what I have to do, where, and when at the beginning of the week so I have less of a chance to forget (though sometimes I still do, I’m only human). Organizing your schedule can help you feel like you’re more in control of your life and that reduces stress. Come to the dork side, we have π.
Treat your classes like a 9-5 job.
You wouldn’t have to worry about doing homework on a Friday night if you treated the school week like a 9-5 job. That means being all business from the time you get up for classes until dinner. During your breaks between classes, instead of binge watching your favorite show, get your homework done. Then later on, you will have time to spend with your favorite people instead of staying up until 3 in the morning crying over your Calculus textbook because the numbers just don’t make sense.
Make time for fun.
If you don’t blow off some steam you will implode. Get your homework done, and then go for the midnight run to Denny’s with your best friends. Study for a bit, then go grab a coffee and relax. We were not built to go to work and die. The best part about college is the freedom to experience new things, and you can’t do that trapped behind a desk and cursing the world for discovering the intricacies of physics.
Get some sleep.
Why sleep when there are so many exciting things in the world? I can totally cram all of my studying for Organic Chemistry into one night. This is healthy. This is college. The less you sleep, the more stressed you’ll be. So maybe skip tonight’s late night adventure if you’re burnt out. Caffeine can’t replace sleep (though, I truly wish it did.)
Your body is a temple.
I eat mozzarella sticks like it's no one's business, and chicken flavored ramen is a staple in any college kid’s diet. However, the crappier you eat, the crappier you feel. It’s important to be conscious about what you’re putting into your body. So once in awhile, make sure those veggies make it into your dinner plans, and maybe skip the Rockstar energy drink today. Plus, if you establish good eating habits early in the semester, you’re more likely to continue with it later on.
Keep in touch with people that make you feel fabulous.
When you’re feeling stressed out, sometimes you need a pick-me-up. Calling someone who makes you feel like the cat’s pajamas can do wonders to lift your spirit. Whenever I’m feeling a little overwhelmed or homesick, I call my mom because no matter what, she makes me feel like a rock star, and reassures me that my hard work is noticed and appreciated.
Throw everything into perspective.
When it feels like the walls are crashing down and nothing could ever be worse than this, take a step back from your problems. Regina Brett once said, “If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.” That’s not meant to diminish your issues, but instead to keep in perspective that everyone struggles. It’s what we do with our struggles that define us. So skipping that assignment to take a mental health day might be what’s best. And maybe we should cut that person who said something mean to us some slack, because we don’t know what they’re going through right now. As long as you maintain perspective, nothing is insurmountable.
