At this point in your lives, you've experienced so much and yet, you haven't. Your entire life basically depends on the decisions you make in college. Who you hang out with, what you do, what you're involved in, how well you do in classes, what you do on your Friday nights and weekends, and the connections you make with other people. This is one of the most stressful part of your life so far, so to help you relieve some stress here is some life advise from me to you.
1.) Friendships
Just because you want to keep in touch with your high school friends, doesn't mean you need to. What I've learned is having a few friends is less stressful and honestly, more fun. It's so stressful trying to spend time with ALL your friends when you're back from college. The friends you make in college will most likely be the friends you'll keep including a high school friend or two.
2.) New year, new me
This is by far one of the most cliche things in this world. Just because it's a new year doesn't mean you flip a switch and you're magically this person you've always wanted to me. As a matter of fact, it takes much longer than you think to become the person you want to be and your idea of the best you actually evolves as you interact with others and have some self reflection time.
3.) Hit the gym
The freshman 15 is a real thing. Portion control, balanced diet, and exercise at least 3 or 4 days a week is the best way to avoid this. Set aside time to have some gym time.
4.) Have a spa day or relaxation day
College is very stressful and getting some friends together to have a spa day is always fun. Also, spending an entire Saturday and/or Sunday in sweatpants, napping, and having a Law and Order SVU marathon isn't such a bad idea.
5.) Try a club or intramural sport
This is a great way to meet new people, try new things, or keep your love of a sport or hobby alive in college. I did intramural soccer and made a few friends and I had so much fun doing it. Don't have a hobby or sport to keep alive? Try something new! Breaking out of your norm of things can be a really amazing.
6.) Relationships
When it comes to relationships, there's a million things people tell you. But, all I have for advise is: if you like someone, become friends with them before you decide to date them. Finding out who they are while you're friends builds trust and you get to really know who they are as a person by hanging out with them. I also found trying but not really trying too hard helped. Trying just to the point that people notice you want a relationship but, nothing too over the top. It's okay to be single in college, it's not taboo.
7.) Money
I have to pay how much per semester?!
Trust me, no one can afford college no matter what. Accepting you're poor and in debt is the best way. And not buy things you don't actually need. Work a job or two if you need to, it's totally okay.
8.) Stress
We all experience stress. If you're having a hard time managing your stress or doing something to release some stress, there is always your friends or the counselling services the college has. It's not a bad idea to visit. How people manage stress varies from one individual to another. Finding the best way to manage it can be an adventure.
Try exercise. drawing, painting, bubble baths, spa day, hiking, call your mom, call your sister, call a friend, talk it out with some one, take a nap, make cookies, take another nap, watch your favorite show, or go on a road trip with some friends. Try anything and everything.
9.) Socializing
"Wow, I'm so awkward."
Socializing can be awkward most of the time. You don't know what to say to people you meet or even your professors. If you feel awkward that's okay, chances are the other person feels awkward too. When you are finding time to hang out with friends or catch up with a high school friend, set aside time for this too. You can't lock yourself in your room 24/7. Sure it's great to not interact with people every once in a while, but as much as you want to avoid people, you cant.
10.) Time Management
Pretty much everything depends on how you manage your time and plan everything. Having a planner and making notes of things is the best way to have enough time to study, hit the gym, relaxing, socialize, and do little things through out the day, week, month, etc. Having things planned makes things WAY less stressful and makes you more aware of time.
11.) Study
Study. Study a lot. Take an hour break between studying and do something fun to reward yourself for studying for two hours or more. In the end, all this studying will be worth it.
