It's summer, and you're just about to enter your freshman year of college. You don't know what to think other than what you've seen on "Blue Mountain State" or "Animal House," and it's all coming so fast that you may get this sudden feeling that every college student struggles with: stress. Oh yes, beautiful stress, the thing that is at its peak during finals week, or when your rent is due. It really is just a beautiful thing. The fact is, we all go through stress at some point in our lives, and sometimes the most logical thing to do to avoid this agony is to relinquish negative habits. There are ways to relieve that stress without indulging in negativity.
There is a way around this painful feeling of stress in college (unless you're an engineering major, because that is beyond my expertise of stress understanding). Often when students first come to college, the stress comes from the fact that you went from living in your parents' house for 18 years, and your biggest responsibility might have been something along the lines of leveling up in "World of Warcraft," and now you're having to be an adult while surrounded by a billion new faces and events. It can be tough, and a little confusing at times. The thing is, think about yourself for a second. You're not a robot meant to constantly read over your notes every day and never escape the library to see some sunlight. It's college - live a little and join organizations that will intrigue you and your interest or beliefs.
Looking back at my freshman year, I honestly can't help but laugh at myself. The thing is that I spent so much time complaining about how stressful my life was and how boring my school's city was that I never actually took a second to think about doing anything to actually fix the problem. For most, that is the issue we all tend to face. However, the problem in college is that your stress seems unmanageable, but it is possible to get out of the stress category and hop on the relief train. Being involved definitely showed me a new light. College offers many ways to get involved, whether it's joining Greek life or the chess club. As long as you're taking a deep breath and enjoying every day in college like it's your last, you'll be just fine and see that stress sometimes is self-inflicted. Picking up a hobby or getting out of your comfort zone can make all of the difference.
