It’s that exciting time of year — back to school for the college upper classmen, and the start of college for the freshies! While college and a new semester can be extremely intimidating, there are ways that you can combat that stress and go into the new school year with confidence and ease! The following article should help you, with 5 ways that you can start off your new college career (or new semester) without all that anxiety and the dreaded feeling like you have no idea what you’re doing!
1. Get a planner!
Whether this is google calendar on your phone, the built in calendar on your iPhone or a different app, or even the classic paper planner; you NEED to get a planner! It will help you feel less stressed by knowing that you have everything you need to know about your schedule in one place. Check it every day, and make sure you put in your class times so you know exactly when you are already booked.
2. Google a campus map.
This will be your best friend. Even if you aren’t a freshman, sometimes you have classes in those weird buildings that no one has ever heard of. If you’re going to UAB, here’s a link to a campus map (you’re welcome). There’s nothing more frustrating (or anxiety inducing) than not knowing where you are going. At least if you have a map, you will have something to guide you as you’re walking around campus (hopefully less aimlessly). And no one will even know that you’re nerding out over the campus map, because it’s on your phone!
3. Find a hobby.
Whether it’s crocheting, working out, or even just reading something non-school related, make sure you make time for yourself. College is the time and the place for you to figure out who YOU are. What YOU like. Try different things! Take an art class or a dance class — get out of your comfort zone. It’s a great way to meet people, find something you might not have even known you liked, and just makes sure that you don’t get too burned out right away with school.
4. Chill out on those unrealistic expectations.
In reality, it’s completely normal not to have a 4.0 GPA with 72 extracurriculars in college. You won’t end up being a hobo because you get one B in a class. Even if you graduated top of your class (valedictorian, even) of high school, college is a completely different beast altogether. Most of the time, it’s not even about how smart you are, but learning the different ways that the teachers can test you. Take a breath, enjoy the ride, and don’t freak out because you don’t have 135% in classes that are meant to be difficult. If you’re struggling, you’re not the only one. IT’S COMPLETELY NORMAL.
5. GO TO CLASS.
I REPEAT: GO TO CLASS. It’s soooooo tempting to not go to class, especially for those who are just starting college and those who are super close to finishing. But I promise you: there are some things you cannot learn from the textbook. Even if you have a 100 in the class just from reading the textbook and studying at your apartment (or dorm) without ever going to class, you’ve missed a huge opportunity for a potential rec letter in the future. If you want to go to graduate school, you need those recommendation letters to get in. Even if you end up not going to graduate school, you’ll need references to get a job. Don’t burn a potential bridge, or pass up an opportunity to show your teachers exactly how awesome you are.
Good luck on your first week of classes everyone! #GoBlazers