College is a time when you have the freedom to discover new things and be who you want to be. But that can be hard if you, like me, suffer from acute anxiety. It's tricky to be able to balance trying new things and making sure you don't step too far out of your comfort zone. Here are a few things I have experienced to help with anxiety in college, and hopefully it will help new and returning students alike.

Make friends.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised how easy it is to stay locked up in your dorm room all by yourself. There are tons of people you have things in common with on campus: People in the same classes as you, people who live in the same dorm as you, even people who eat lunch at the same time as you. It seems scary at first, but I encourage you to introduce yourself to a few people and see where this new relationship can take you.

Get a pet.

If you find yourself occupied with worry for a lot of your waking hours, it might be a good idea for you to invest in an animal friend. Having a pet gives your mind something to focus on throughout the day; it gives you something to look forward to. You can check with your office of residence life on campus and see what their policy is on having animals, and you can also talk to your doctor about registering your animal as a mental health resource.

Learn a new skill.

Again, it is easy to become engrossed in only your coursework in college, but it is important to keep up a hobby or new skill outside of class in order to keep yourself balanced (and to avoid going completely crazy over difficult classes.) You can learn a new language, learn how to code, learn how to knit, or learn how to paint. Pick something you've been wanting to learn how to do but you've never really had time to learn and make time for it. This will help you figure out what helps your anxiety and will help you branch out into some new interests.

Exercise.

Exercise is one of the most underrated aides to depression and anxiety. If your school has a gym or recreation center, take advantage of it! You will feel better and start to see your anxiety levels decreasing almost immediately as your endorphins are released. If you do not have access to a gym, there are plenty of exercises you can do even in your dorm room.

Enjoy your coursework.

The most important and influential thing you can do at college is to learn to enjoy doing your coursework. I can't tell you how many times I have kept myself up at night worrying about my classwork and my homework. Once I realized that I am here to learn and discover rather than to view this as mandatory work, I felt a lot better about doing my work. Remember, you're at college for a reason: To learn new things and to explore your future.

Talk to a counselor.

If you are still having difficulty getting control of your anxiety, it might be a good idea to talk to a counselor or other professional. Your school may offer some such service, otherwise there are always groups within the community that are willing to help, such as a church, a Boys' and Girls' Club, or a trusted teacher or professor.