College is one of the most exciting adventures for a high school graduate. You are finally living on your own, free from your parents rules and you basically get to do whatever you want — as long as you keep up with your school work, of course. But college can also be such a challenging time. You are away from all of your friends, and everything you've ever known suddenly changes. Surviving college can be tricky at times, but going through school with a mental illness can be even tougher. Here are some tips to surviving college with a mental illness.
1. Find your support system.
Friends really do make everything better. They will be your shoulder to cry on and they will catch you when you fall. Your college friends become your family, and — at least in my case — this family that you will create away from home will have a bond that will never be broken. Finding your people may be hard at first, but you'll realize who you can trust and who is going to be there for the good times as well as the bad.
2. Be proactive.
When the school work starts piling up, it can be easy to get overwhelmed and fall behind. You need to stay organized with your assignments to make sure that you have time to let yourself relax. When I get overwhelmed with all the work I have to do, my mental health sometimes falls to the side and I start ignoring what I need to do to make myself feel better, which leads down a bad path. Make sure to have a planner or notebook that you consistently write down all of your assignments, and to schedule in some time for yourself. With the all craziness of college, you need to make sure to take care of your body and mind.
3. Ask for help.
This is probably one of the hardest, but most important, things to do. I know it can be nerve-wracking, but it is a crucial step to surviving in college. It seems simple — if you need help, ask. But with a mental illness, it can be easy to overanalyze things or just sink into yourself and put on a mask. But you will feel better if you reach out. Trust me. One of the best things I did freshman year was to reach out and ask for help. Honestly I was terrified, but it did make a big difference.
I know college can seem daunting, and it won't be easy all the time, but you have the resources to get through it. Trust yourself and know you are strong and capable.
