Whether you're a freshman or a senior, a lot of people have a hard time adjusting to college . Winter and summer breaks are longer than you think, and going back to school with a new schedule, new routine, new goals, new classes, new/existing job, etc can be overwhelming.

It's hard to find time to just relax when you feel like you could be doing something more productive, but let me tell you that the time you have with yourself is crucial to be successful in college.

It's understandable that you want a job in college. You're broke. I'm broke. We're all broke. But when you are constantly struggling to be happy with yourself, and your life, you might just need to put that job on hold.

My first semester in college, I was so up and down with myself, and sometimes I feel that way still. I was looking for jobs every chance I could because I was struggling to pay off my monthly loan payments. Fortunately, I was able to get by last semester, but I was not putting myself first. I was sick all the time, lazy, unmotivated, and hated myself. However, in this next semester, part of me knew I needed a job to make sure my bank account was comfortable enough for me to last these next fifteen weeks.

But I recognized how unstable I was with myself last semester and knew I never wanted to feel like that again. And I knew that I wasn't mentally ready to handle something else in my schedule that would take time away from me. So, I designed my schedule to where I can fit in time for myself to go to the gym, listen to music, take care of myself, and relax. I'm not perfect, but I'm a lot happier than I used to be with myself.

I recommend having a stable job during the winter and summer breaks so you can save up for anything that you may need or want to do. Most universities provide you with a lot, so you won't need to pay for much. But if you're like me, you might just need to save some money for any outside necessities.

Please though, you need to be in a good place before you add in extracurriculars that are going to take time away from yourself.

Another big stresser that is inevitable is academics. We are all nervous about getting good grades and want to make the dean's list. Who doesn't? It's hard to really take care of yourself when you have so much on your plate, believe me, I know.

It sucks that it's life and we all have to learn to be adults. But when you put yourself first a little more than everything else, you're going to be great and better at anything thrown at you. Why? Because your crappy job will pass. Your grades will pass (that doesn't mean to not make them a priority), but make yourself a little bit more of a priority than your grades.

You have to live with yourself, and at the end of the day you want to feel good. If you're doing good, everything else will be. You'll see things more positively.

Now, this doesn't mean to go to the gym five times a day, seven days a week and not eat. It doesn't mean to be so consumed with yourself that you critique everything you do. If you don't have time to go to the gym or exercise, counter it with eating healthy and balanced. Do other things that make you happy, sit back, relax, and feel good. Feel better.

You don't have to feel great all the time. You're not going to so don't expect it. It could be close, but never perfect. You want to be balanced because those bad days, moods, and feelings allow you to really think about why you're feeling that way, and what the logic behind it is.

Trust me on this, you will feel a lot better, and look at things more positively when you start taking care and putting yourself first. Over everything. You will have a better connection with your body and eventually learn what it needs.

You are a priority, so make it happen.