College life can be incredibly overwhelming. It always feels like there are endless assignments, events, and exams to complete. It feels like I’m being pulled in every direction with the colossal amount I have to get done, and anxiety continues to be my worst enemy.
I entered college in summer 2026, and it was a tremendous adjustment. I became in charge of every decision, and while that independence was freeing, I quickly realized the enormity of balancing living away from home for the first time and my increasing academic load. This is when I realized the power of a literal breath of fresh air.
My Moment of Peace
The tail end of any semester leaves you with sore wrists from endless note-taking, study guides in the smallest writing possible, and project after project. In my first semester, I was struggling with seeing my peers around me already steadfast in their friend groups; I felt like I was light years behind everyone.
With stress bubbling to the surface, I knew I needed to take a step back. To alleviate my stress, my friend and I took a day trip to the springs on the Suwannee River. We sat at the bank of one of the springs with our feet in the water, just taking everything in for at least 10 minutes.
It was honestly a magical experience. Everything quieted down in my head as I watched the water bugs dance on the surface of the water. I was enchanted by the nature around me. There’s something deeply comforting about spending time in nature that settles the soul.
Nature can truly ground one’s racing thoughts. Stepping away from your desk to see and bask in nature’s beauty helps put things into perspective, and I discovered it acts as a natural de-stressor. I made it a priority to spend time outdoors at least once a week.
Finding Time Within a Busy Schedule
The fall semester is always busy, so it can be a struggle to find time for yourself. You don’t have as much freedom or time to take trips on the weekend and physically get away. With more assignments, extracurriculars, and responsibilities, getting that feeling of escape into fresher air is hard. I get stressed easily, so when I begin to feel myself getting overwhelmed, I’ve taken to finding nature near me.
Going for walks in local parks or around campus and driving down scenic roads are some of the tools I use that really keep me from burnout and emotional exhaustion due to academic overload. It’s a moment of peace that I hold close to my heart. Popping your earphones in or blasting music in the car helps to let the chaos of university life quiet down.
Most of the time, I prefer getting outside when the sun has begun to set. If the world is beginning to wind down, then so can I. The business of the day feels like it comes to a stop as, while watching the sun slowly disappear, you can take an exhale alongside the world. For the first time in a long day, it feels like nothing is being asked of you.
It’s annoyingly easy to feel overwhelmed and like you’re falling behind in college. There’s so much pressure to do everything, to outline what you’re going to do for the rest of your life. I think nature provides a gentle reminder to slow down and take care of ourselves. Sometimes all you need to put your stressed mind at ease is a breath of fresh air.
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