Everyone has experienced anxiety at some point in their life. Everything from speaking in public to losing a loved one can trigger feelings of unease or tension. However, there is a big difference between everyday anxiety and an anxiety disorder. For people living with an anxiety disorder, those feelings of unease are constant, and they can make completing the simplest tasks nearly impossible.

Living with an anxiety disorder is already hard enough, but trying to do so while also transitioning into college can make life for a student incredibly hard. Here are a few tips for managing your anxiety disorder while at school.

1. Recognize your triggers

Triggers are the everyday activities that escalate the symptoms of anxiety. These can range from general things, like being trapped in an elevator, to very specific things, like failing a test. Recognizing your triggers is the first step to understanding how your anxiety works so that you can have better control over it. This is especially important when transitioning into college because you are entering a new environment full of new experiences—some of which could trigger your anxiety. It is important that you are aware of these things so that you can avoid them or learn how to deal with them when they do arise.

2. Learn some grounding techniques

Sometimes, anxiety will manifest itself in the form of a panic attack. Panic attacks often occur without warning and can leave you feeling completely disoriented or detached from reality. The best way to deal with panic attacks is to regain control over your mind. This can be accomplished through grounding techniques. These simple exercises can de-escalate the symptoms of your panic attack and calm you back down so that you can resume your day.

3. Accept your condition

Despite the nearly 40 million people in the United States affected by anxiety, being diagnosed with the disorder still carries a stigma of shame and isolation. This causes people to avoid or deny their anxiety, which is one of the unhealthiest ways to deal with it. Pushing aside your symptoms will only worsen them. Once you accept your anxiety as a part of your life, you can begin to treat it in a healthy manner.

4. Understand your limits

Anxiety can be very emotionally and physically draining. Dealing with that tension and unease while also trying to juggle a day full of classes, studying, and extracurricular activities can zap your energy without you even realizing. That’s why it’s important to know your limits. One technique that you can use to keep track of your energy throughout the day is the spoon theory. This is an analogy that was developed to provide a visual idea of the toll that one’s disability can have on their energy. You can use the spoon theory to map out your plans for the day so that you can accomplish your goals without feeling overwhelmed or exhausted.

5. Seek professional help

While all of the above tips are useful, they are mostly temporary fixes. The best way to manage anxiety is to seek professional help from a general counselor or someone who specializes in dealing with anxiety. Most colleges and universities offer free counseling services for their students. These people can work with you to understand the origins of your anxiety and to help you develop healthy, long-term plans for managing your condition. If you are uncomfortable going alone, ask a friend to go with you to the first session. If you are a more spiritual individual, consider talking to your school’s religious leader. There is support in place for you, regardless of how you choose to receive it.