College is, without a doubt, one of the most fun, but also stressful times in a young person’s life. Transitioning from high school to college can be extremely overwhelming, especially in terms of the workload.
Looking back, I wish I had a little more guidance and preparation for life in college, especially from my high school teachers. It took my entire freshman year to finally realize that I needed to get my act together and make some changes, so that I could graduate from college employed. Here are just a few tips on surviving college and eliminating stress:
1. Go to every class
Whether it’s an 8 a.m, class or a 6 p.m. class, go to it no matter how hungover you are. I know it sounds obvious, but you will learn a lot more by going to class and listening to your professor’s lectures than glancing at the slideshows on Blackboard.
You have the opportunity to ask questions about concepts you’re unsure of and get immediate feedback, rather than write up an email and wait hours for a response that may not even answer your questions completely. So grab a large coffee with an espresso shot or two, and get moving.
2. Don’t look at your phone in class
Put your phone on the “Do Not Disturb” setting and actually pay attention. You probably think that you can listen to your professor and check Instagram at the same time, but you really can’t.
You’re distracting yourself and then you’ll find that you are wondering what your professor said in class when you’re sitting in the library studying the night before your midterm. Your friend can wait an hour to tell you what happened last Thursday night at the bars.
3. Take at least an hour out of your day to do something you enjoy
I personally love working out every day. It takes my mind off of what ever is stressing me out and allows me to focus on just myself for an hour. Studies have shown that exercising releases endorphins, which are the “good mood” neurotransmitters in the brain.
You are pretty much guaranteed to be in a better mood by the time you’re done with your workout. As the iconic Elle Woods would say: “Exercise gives your endorphins. Endorphins make you happy!”
4. Make a plan from the start
Come up with a strategy that allows you to organize everything you need to do for your classes. I used to make lists of “things to do” each week and write down when each assignment is due by, but when that list started getting a bit too long, I bought a planner.
It is single-handedly one of the best purchases I’ve made in college. Personally, I don’t like putting things on my phone and laptop calendars. No idea why, I’d just rather write things down and cross them off once they’ve been completed.
Get a brightly colored planner so it stands out from all of your bland-looking, neutral-colored textbooks and will remind you to look at it. You can write down when all your assignments are due and physically see when you have time to do work. This will help you manage your time, which is an extremely necessary and important skill to acquire in college.
5. Don’t procrastinate
Now, I know this is very unrealistic for like 99% of college students, but if you start getting in the habit of making a schedule for when all of your papers and assignments are due (refer to Tip #4- Planners seriously rock) and work on them a little bit each day until they’re due, even if it’s just writing a paragraph a day, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and stress in the future.
When 8:30 PM on Sunday rolls around, you will no longer have to worry about writing an entire research paper before 12 AM. Instead, you’ll be proofreading and be done before 10 PM. What’s a better way to end your Sunday than Netflix in bed?? Oh yeah, nothing.
6. Wake up early every morning
Waking up 20 minutes before your first class (most likely after sleeping through your first four alarms), delusional and rushing to find an outfit is no good way to start your day. Take advantage of your mornings. It’s quiet, cool and the perfect time to get some work done before you start your day. You’ll actually have time to make yourself a nice breakfast and cup of coffee before your first class, too.
I started waking up at 8 a.m. during my sophomore year because I wanted to get a head start on my days. I’d wake up, eat breakfast, have coffee, go to the gym, shower and get some homework done- all before 10 a.m. My first class wouldn’t be until 11:10 a.m. I felt great physically and mentally every day.
It took me over a year to figure out these strategies for surviving and succeeding in college, but better late than never, right? Ever since I’ve figured out these college hacks, my grades have improved significantly, I’ve found myself less stressed, especially during midterms and finals, and I’ve become happier.
