Before I came to college, I always heard about how people struggled while at college. They would tell me that they didn't have enough money for food, so they ate roman noodles and can tuna every day. Some would say they had to walk everywhere they went because they didn't have a car. Others even told me that they failed a class two or three times before they were finally able to pass it.
Well everyone please stop torturing yourself like this. College is already hard enough. Why not find ways to make it easier?
1. Recognize your advantages and use them!
Every time I go home, I make sure to bring a few shopping bags. I take anything that looks even slightly edible out of my mom's pantry. This includes pop tarts, bottles juices, popcorn, canned soup or vegetables, water, etc. Then I go into the fridge and take leftover meals, fruit, eggs, milk, etc. I even take a few toilet paper and paper towel rolls from the closet. After I do all of this, I go to my grandmother's house and repeat the process. If you have any family members' or family friends' house that you can go to and get supplies from, then you should do it. If they love you enough, they will let you.
Another very important resource that you have is your dining hall. I have heard stories about how awful the dining hall is at some schools. If this is your case, then I suggest you just keep taking food from family and friends. However, if you're like me and your dining hall actually has some good food but likes to charge you if you go in at a certain time or it closes on weekends, then I suggest you bring containers. Of course, the people who work at the dining hall might have a problem with this, so you need to bring your bookbag to hide them in. You should bring in at least five containers (which you can get at the dollar store!) and three water bottles. Sit in a private corner, have as many plates as you can carry to your seat, and stuff those containers like there is no tomorrow! Also, take the salt and pepper bottles. You never know when you'll need it later.
If you start to feel guilty about taking all that stuff, DON'T. You paid for all this in your tuition.
2. Make as many friends as possible.
Not only will this make college a little less lonely and a lot more fun, one of those people are bound to have a car. You won't have to worry about waiting for a shuttle (then struggling to bring all your groceries back to your room after) or going home to get supplies or go out to somewhere fun if you have a friend with a car. The more people who have cars that you know, the easier going places without walking everywhere will be.
3. Use your resources.
I cannot stress how difficult college is. Before I came here, I thought taking four or five classes a semester was going to be a breeze. I was used to taking eight at my high school. However, I could not have been more wrong. There are so many tests, reading, quizzes, papers, projects, etc. Sometimes it is a miracle I have time to sleep or eat (and some days I really don't have time to do either- especially around midterms or finals). The one thing that always has helped me are study groups, the writing center, the tutoring center, friends, etc. I also believe that it is always good to have at least one or two people you talk to in class. In case you miss a day or zoned out during the professor's instructions, that person will usually help you out.
It's time to stop struggling people! You are already on the verge of losing your mind with all your workload or family/friend drama or trying to figure out what the hell you're going to do for the rest of your life. Don't make college harder than it already is.
