As someone who has struggled with a diagnosed anxiety disorder for around two years now, I have learned how to cope with the world around me. With that being said, there was a time where I felt lost, confused, and honestly hopeless. Sometimes I would highly doubt that I would go to college, as I couldn’t imagine a world where I couldn’t cuddle up with my dog in my bed, in a place where people understood what I had been struggling with. But I did it! And so can you! I am writing this piece in honor of all those who deal with mental health struggles, which is honestly many of us. Coming to Saint Michael’s, I wasn’t sure what my future would entail. Now, it is a beautiful mess of confusion, and I’m finding my way as any other college freshman.
Upon arriving at St. Mike’s this past August, I knew no one. Coming from a small town in upstate New York, I felt at least somewhat comfortable being on the small campus, and the smiling faces of those helping me move in helped me to feel at home pretty quick. I entered my dorm room with both parents and many bags worth of necessities (and some non-necessities of course). Within a few short days, I ended up meeting my very best friends. I feel like I must’ve lucked out to be living in my hall, as I am surrounded daily by so much positive energy and people who love me. I was pretty quick to open up to those around me, as I wanted them to know why I may leave some times, or what I meant when I said “I’m having a panic attack” or “It’s too crowded”. As I came to find out, most of my friends have dealt with their own health struggles, and they listened to me as I spoke, not judging me but supporting me.
As the weeks and months have gone by, we have only become closer, and we have very few secrets that we keep. We study together, watch The Bachelor every Monday, take consistent Dunkin’ runs, and constantly laugh. In essence, the Saint Mike’s community has supported me in what I feared would be the toughest time of my life. Although it would be naive and unrealistic to assume that my anxiety has just disappeared, because it has not, it has definitely lessened, knowing that I have a home away from home here in Colchester. Saint Mike’s has reminded me to never give up, and that even when times seem tough, it will always get easier. Whether it’s the friendly face of Rose in Alliot, the RA who gives you water and fruit at 1am, or your best friend surprising you with an iced latte after a tough day, there is positivity bred on this campus. You don’t have to look far to find people who love and understand you, and as soon as I learned that, I knew that my anxiety could be managed. This is where I belong.