When I first started to feel the anxiety, I didn't know what to do with myself. I just started feeling my heart beat faster and faster, and I couldn't stop staring at the Instagram picture of my friends out at a frat party I couldn't go to. I had to stay in and study for a big test. But it was just one party, right? It's not like there wouldn't ever be another college party, but that logic just wouldn't change that I felt that I was missing out big time. What we all call FOMOS had hit me hard!
It's often hard to say no to the fun social events happening basically every night on this campus, and more and more people are being effective by this disease every day.
UGA is huge. There are so many student organizations to be involved in, fun events and functions to go to with great places to just hang out. The opportunities to not do homework, not study, not get sleep, and to just have some good ole fun seem nonstop to those suffering.
But that's the problem with such a great big campus - you just can't do it all so you'll always be "missing out" on something. The struggle is real.
So what happens when you have Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and text messages all at the click of a button and everyone you know is showing off all the fun they're having?
You start getting what everyone refers to as the "Fear of Missing out Syndrome," a genuine illness to those of us trying to balance getting a good education and also trying to enjoy the last few years of our privileged student status. There are hundreds of us suffering from FOMOS all over the UGA campus; in a lot of cases, it hits when you least expect it.
So let's discuss some cures for this potentially peace-destroying condition.
1. Remind yourself that you are not meant to do it all. Everyone has the same limited amount of hours in the day and we all have to learn to make choices for some things and against others. Take a deep breath and feel the anxiety melt away.
2. Take a break from social media. Everything looks way more fun in those pictures than it actually is. You're just not missing out on that much; again, you're having plenty of fun on this campus!
3. It's your job to be a student at this school and that comes before anything else. If you buckle to pressure to go out when you should stay in, you will have a bigger case of FOMOS called failing out of school and living back at home!
You can stop your FOMOS before it stops you from living your life with these simple reassuring techniques. You're not alone with this illness and there are people who can help you.
You can even help those around you who are suffering by starting study groups, encouraging scheduled going out nights, and even some designated Netflix and Chill time with your significant other.
If you think you may be suffering from FOMOS, contact your doctor immediately.
If you know someone who is suffering from FOMOS, we have a 24 hour help-hotline at 1-800-ithinkimgonnaogout or you can check us out at www.imfailingoutofschoolcuzofFOMOS.org
