College is so fun. There are so many opportunities, new people, ideas, side quests, and memories that I’ve made even in my short time here at St. Bonaventure University. Coming to college has been one of the best decisions I’ve made so far in life, and as of right now, I have absolutely no regrets.
But nobody tells you how tiring it can all be. I literally thought something was medically wrong with me for being so tired all the time these past few months. In high school, I felt like I could do it all. I would go to seven hours of school per day, plus practice, work, or rehearsal after school. On top of all that, I’d always get my homework done on time, get good grades, and make time to hang out with friends. I’d wake up at 7:00 a.m. every day and do all of that!
I now question how I did it all, and why it feels like I’m unable to function without a midday bed-rotting session with my roommate.
But after some reflecting, and some Google research, I realize that I’m responsible for so much more than I was then. I’m responsible for getting up on time, getting myself to class even when attendance isn’t mandatory, doing my laundry, keeping my room clean, and so much more. I basically realized that I’m an adult with adult responsibilities, despite the way I feel like I’m not.
I’ve always considered myself a pretty independent individual. All the chores I listed, of course, I was doing all of those in high school, but of course I had people holding me accountable for those things. When you’re at college, nobody is nagging you to get your homework done or do the dishes. It’s all on you. You are in charge of yourself and your success. You are now in charge of making sure you do all of these things while still maintaining a good balance between your friends, work, and extracurriculars.
I think that this is the part that makes college so hard to adjust to. You don’t get to go home and sit in your room and isolate yourself to regain your social battery. You’re living and sharing space with another person, after all, and you’re learning so many lessons every day on how to manage all of that.
So get out of your room, join clubs, get food with your friends, and go out of your comfort zone. Me sitting here writing this article is definitely something that I’d consider out of my comfort zone, as I would’ve never pictured myself joining a writing club even a few months ago in high school. But again, I have no regrets.
And at the end of the day, go back to your dorm and get some sleep. After all, this is all tiring! Prioritize your sleep and remind yourself that you are doing great. We are all adjusting to this college thing, no matter how put together somebody may seem.