It's common to associate college life with binge drinking, frat parties and football games, but for most students, college life is much more than care-free partying. In fact, it can be a stressful time filled with uncertainty and unforeseen pressures. Fortunately, there are plenty of simple ways to alleviate the daily grind of college life.
Course Load
Picture the following: You have three midterms in the morning, a 25-page research paper due at noon, a presentation at 1:00, and then a four-hour lab that evening. That's a pretty typical college schedule, and it's stressful. Keeping up with all the studying, writing and reading is comparable to having a full-time job. Remember though, everything will get done as long as you learn prioritize and don't procrastinate.
Finances
Yes, there are some college students who drive Audi SUVs and park their yellow corvettes in front of the dining hall, but for most students, just scrambling up enough funds for their next meal is a challenge. College can be financially draining. Besides books, tuition and dorm costs, there are so many day-to day necessities that drain your finances quickly. Learn to budget, say no to eating out and find a part-time job. That should be enough to alleviate most financial stressors.
Peer Pressure
The desire to fit in is just as prevalent in college as it is in high school. For many individuals college is where lifelong friendships, networking opportunities and even future spouses are found. Hence, there is a strong desire to fit in, to be a part of something or paired with someone. There's nothing wrong with meeting new people and making friends; just don't feel pressured to associate with any and everyone just to fit in.
Away from Home
Some students love the sense of freedom college presents. For them, being away from home is a godsend. For others, though, college is their first real adventure away from home, so the move can be scary. And because it's so unnerving, it can also be stressful. The good news is that homesickness eventually goes away. Just become involved on campus, meet new people and explore new interests, and pretty soon you'll feel more comfortable in your new surroundings.
Re-defining Yourself
Perhaps, one of the most stressful things in anyone's life is defining themselves. Most college students have just entered legal adulthood and are still defined by their teenage years and what they achieved in their short past. In college those old identities are laid to rest, but finding a new one can be hard. But be thankful for the time you have to explore your options and really get to know yourself. Just have fun and discover as much as you can about yourself, your fellow classmates and the world, because, unfortunately, college life will come to an end fast, Start building fond memories as early as you can.
Tags: college life, away from, from home, most students