Time really flew by, huh? One moment, you're tiny high school freshmen wondering how you were going to get through seven classes in one day. The next, you're seniors getting ready to leave for college. You're probably feeling all sort of emotions. Maybe you're excited, scared, nervous, anxious, sad, or all of the above. Whatever you're feeling, I understand because I've been there. I have felt every emotion you are feeling right now, and I am here to tell you that it's completely normal. Odds are, every other incoming college freshman is going through the same thing right now.

I understand why college is nerve-wracking. It's a bunch of big buildings across a huge plot of land that you have to run across in order to get to class on time. It's also filled with a bunch of people you don't know and you're living with a roommate who you may end up hating. The list can go on and on, but I'll leave it at that.

As I'm writing this, I'm wrapping up my second year of college and preparing to start my third. It's so weird how fast time flies. It seems like only yesterday I was moving into my freshmen dorm, anxious about whether or not I was going to get to my first college class on time. Luckily, I made it through that year, and I sure have learned a lot.

You're going to hear people say that their freshmen year of college was the worst year of their lives, and you're going to hear people say that it was the best year of their lives. It's really all a matter of perspective. I think it was a little bit of both for me. My first semester went relatively well. I adjusted to college life fairly well and made a few friends within the first few nights. I somehow managed to pass General Chemistry, so I was feeling pretty good about how my life was going. The second semester, however, was a bit of a wreck. I won't go too much into detail, but long story short, there was drama within my friend group, I started doing poorly in my classes, and I was just genuinely unhappy with where I was. Oddly enough, it was still a pretty good year. I learned a lot about myself and learned that sometimes prioritizing mental health above physical health needs to happen.

So, that's my advice to you. College is fun, but it can also be hell on earth. It can be stressful at times, and that can eventually take a toll on you mentally if you don't take a mental break once in a while. Most colleges and universities offer counseling and psychological services free of charge if you're a student. If you ever feel like you're in a place where you feel like no one is listening to you, they can be of great help. If talking to someone in that setting isn't for you, RA's are right down the hall and your family is just a phone call away. Talking to at least one person about any anxiousness you are going through can help just about anybody.

Now, if your friend comes up to you and tells you that they have been feeling a little down lately, the worst thing you can do is tell them that they just need to cheer up. It's basically like telling them that they're being a big crybaby. What you can do, though, is listen to what they have to say. Offer advice if they ask, but for the time being, just listen. College is never going to be easy, but you can make it easier on yourself if you deal with the stress early on and take care of your mental health.