Stress in college is expected, but that doesn’t make it easy. When I first arrived at college, I was expecting to have some sort of stress level, but not what I have actually experienced. Between classes, assignments, jobs, and trying to maintain a social life, it sometimes can feel like there’s always something else you need to get done. Also, being a “Type A” person, I was not expecting this.Â
What makes college even harder is that I feel that the majority of us felt like we would be coming in thinking that academics would be the hardest task. It is more than that; you’re learning how to manage your time, relationships, social life, and future. And that is not including family back home calling in, letting you know that you haven’t been checking in or calling them. For many students, this is the first time balancing so many responsibilities.Â
Before even coming to college, there was so much stress surrounding college. Like, trying to make sure you chose the correct major, what university you should attend, or trying to plan out how your life should be 4 years from now. The hardest part about all of this is how constant it all feels.
It is easy to ignore how much it actually affects you, but just because it’s common doesn’t mean it should be overlooked. College is a time of growth, but that doesn’t mean you have to push yourself ot the point of burnout. Taking breaks, setting boundaries, and giving yourself room to breathe are just as important as staying on top of your responsibilities. Stress may be part of the college experience, but we should never let it define us.