If there's anything I've learned in college, it's that life should not be viewed as a struggle. Everything that happens in your life is in your own hands, and nothing is as bad as it seems. When I find myself in a bad situation, I stop and think, "Will I be upset about this in a week? Three months? A year?" I realize, no matter what, things have a way of working themselves out.
College can be a hard time for people. You are not expected to be happy and positive 24/7. Sometimes you'll swear, cry hysterically or just completely shut people out. Sometimes things will get bad. Really bad. Like to the point where you think you may never make it out. Sometimes you'll find that your mental health will be your biggest fight. I've battled anxiety and periods of depression since I was in eighth grade. I went through times in my life where I would break down and completely shut the people that loved me out of my life. Tears were a part of my nightly routine for quite some time, and I tried multiple different sources for help.
When I found myself struggling the second semester of my freshman year in college, I kept it in. I had breakdowns that mirrored my breakdowns my freshman year of high school, which was when I felt my worst. I had no idea how to tell anyone what was going on because I had no idea what people would think. Come to find out, so many more people are fighting battles similar to yours. It just takes a little digging and confiding in others to figure it out. No matter how you may feel, there is always someone out there who will drop what they're doing to come listen to you. And if you haven't found that person, you will. But the most important thing is that you cannot bury your feelings and act like they don't exist. When everything seems to be going down the drain, there is always going to be a light at the end of the tunnel. The journey to your light may be a little longer than others.
Everyone gets sad about something every once in a while. Sometimes I'd be upset over how I was doing in school, while other times it would be about some dumb boy not being worth my time. I was assuming I was destined for a very lonely life. Luckily, I had friends that always cheered me up and assured me I am worth more than I give myself credit for. Those friends are the people that made my struggles seem so minuscule. When you're in college, it is so easy to feel alone. You are away from your parents and friends, and sometimes you have to buck up and do things for yourself. Some of these things may be entirely out of your comfort zone, but you can't let your fears overrule your life. If you are struggling, there are so many resources to turn to. Call your doctor, talk to an old friend, or confide in someone new who doesn't know your past. Sometimes a new perspective is just what you need.
No matter what life throws your way, you are more than capable of handling it. Don't let depression or anxiety rule your life. While that is way easier said than done, you have got to have the mindset of "I can do this." Take each day one step at a time. Tackle tasks one by one and do it with a positive attitude. Sure, there will be some night where you'll turn on John Mayer Pandora and cry it out, but just remind yourself that tomorrow is a new day. It's OK to not be OK.
