College is a stressful time for anyone, especially for those who are anxious people like myself. Learning to adapt to a new school, new people, and new classes has been difficult, and every day I put on thick skin and try to get through the day with an optimistic outlook. Sometimes doing this is hard. Some days I get anxious for no reason. Some days I overthink and panic about the smallest things, and it sucks. Nevertheless, I’ve found a few ways to cope with my anxious side that I think will work for everyone going through the same thing.
1. Go for walks
This is something I’ve recently started to enjoy. My school has such a beautiful campus, and on nice evenings it’s calming to just walk around and savor the sights and sounds that I wouldn’t normally notice. My favorite spot is Emereti Park. I like to lay on the benches by the waterfall and listen to music; the scenery is perfect.
2. Read
This is also an activity I’ve started to enjoy again. Right now, I’m reading John Green’s “Looking for Alaska” (great read by the way). I’ve discovered that my favorite spot is under the shady trees on College Green. Not only is it a great spot for reading, but it’s perfect for people watching. This is probably one of the most popular places for students here to read and do homework outside.
3. Drink Coffee
Drinking coffee has been a lifesaver since I’ve started college. There’s so many places to get good coffee in Athens, but my favorite place is definitely Donkey Coffee. This is where I’ve met some of my new friends, and though the place is a little crowded most times, the atmosphere is really cozy.
4. Write
This is my biggest anxiety killer. Whether it’s for a publication or for pleasure, writing is my favorite pastime. I always feel so much better after writing a good story or just putting whatever is on my mind to paper.
5. Go for a run
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I'm not in the best shape right now, but running is a great way for me to get energized and feel motivated. I've been trying to mentally push myself to run more often because even a little bit helps me a lot. I've found that going to Ping works for me best as opposed to running outside where I've usually ended up getting lost.
6. Talk on the phone
This might not work for everyone, but I really enjoy talking to people on the phone, especially when I need to vent about something. The sound of someone else’s voice is really calming to me, and I know those who are close to me will always know how to make me laugh or give me good advice when I’m feeling anxious.
7. Take pictures
I’ve actually been considering minoring in photojournalism just because of how much I enjoy taking pictures. Athens has so many beautiful places to accomplish this, and on a really pretty day I like to go to College Green or Uptown Athens and take pictures of whatever I can. Photography allows me to be even more of an adventurous and curious person, and that’s always a great way for me to soothe my anxiety.
Although anxiety can be a frustrating experience, it can be manageable and reduced if you just consume your time with things you enjoy. Something as simple as going for a walk or reading a good book is enough to comfort anyone. I hope these ideas can help someone else going through the same experience.
