You are never alone, even when you feel like you are. It can be easy sometimes to convince yourself that you don’t have anyone, especially when you’re depressed; or when it’s late at night and you don’t have anyone to talk to. At your very lowest point, you may feel like no one cares, or no one sees your struggle. In the stress of college life, when everyone is fighting their own individual battles, it can be difficult to feel like your feelings are valid. However, it’s important to not let the bad thoughts get to you. You have an incredible support system everywhere you go, whether you realize it or not.

One of the best things about college that I have found is that I am never completely alone. I always have roommates, classmates, and professors and mentors who are never far away in case I need to talk. Not only that, but although my family might be far away, they are never more than a phone call or text from being an incredible support system. Your family will always be your family, regardless of the miles that separate, and you will always have them to fall back on whenever things go awry. Keep that in mind every time you feel alone - are you really alone? Or are you just overlooking who is there for you?

This leads me to another point - reaching out. Reaching out for help can be difficult at times. It’s not always easy to admit that you are weak or that you need a helping hand, especially when it seems like everyone else is doing better than you are. However, don’t let yourself get into the mindset that you are the only one struggling. Every single person that you encounter is fighting their own battles, and even our closest friends sometimes manage to hide their feelings from us. You are never the only person who is struggling. Don’t let yourself think that no one understands, because I can guarantee you there is at least one person who knows exactly what you are going through. The only thing standing in the way of you connecting with that person is the fact that you are hesitant to reach out. Sometimes bad things happen because they draw people closer together. There is no stronger bond than one forged in a shared experience or heartbreak. There will always be someone there for you, and there will always be someone who understands.

On the flipside, sometimes we do not voice our troubles because we feel that everyone else has too much going on to be concerned with us. Once again, I want to remind you that everything is easier when you reach out and go through your struggles together. Even if what you and another friend are going through is not of the same nature, it still helps to have someone to check up on you even if you can’t directly relate to their situation. Sometimes just saying “Hey, are you doing okay today?” makes a world of difference in someone’s life. It’s all about the give and take. If you are kind and understanding towards the people in your life who are going through struggles, they will most likely do the same for you.

In closing, just remind yourself that you’re never alone. Don’t be afraid to reach out to other people, even if you feel like no one will understand. You may have more in common with them than you might think. By sharing our troubles with each other, we will all get a little bit stronger.