Don’t stay in your room all the time. You may be tempted to keep your nose to the grindstone and study all the time as a distraction from the lack of social life.
Social anxiety could also be contributing to your lack of motivation to leave your room. This can become stifling and make you feel more overwhelmed. Any time we avoid the thing we are afraid of, it “feeds” the fear.
Studying outside on your college campus gives you opportunities to get some sun and see people
Study in the common area of your dormitory. Hang out there so that you have opportunities to meet people.
Heres a common area at Pat Barker Hall at Campbell University in Buies Creek NC thats great for studying
Study outside. You can get a blanket and sit on the lawn. You can sit on the steps or the side of the steps of your academic buildings. You can sit and study on benches that line the walkways of your campus.
Take a walk around campus. Many college campuses are beautiful and are adorned with trees, shrubs, and flowers. Take in the beauty of nature and the aesthetics of the architecture. You may even bump into a classmate or someone from your high school.
At Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato MN they have many campus maps on their website including a 3D map
Pro tip:Learn about the volunteer opportunities that are found in your area. If you’re an animal person, look for an animal shelter, humane society or rescue organization that could use your presence. Maybe there is a soup kitchen in your community that could use a server.
2.Fend Off Loneliness By Finding Friends First
Your high school friends may have seemed like friends for life, but after graduation, everyone may have been sent in different directions. Those that got you through the homecoming dance and finals are not with you now.
In your dorm, go meet everyone on your hall or in your suite and the suite next door.
Use the following steps:
Knock on their door.
Say, “Hey how are you doing? My name is ______. I live down the hall and I was just seeing who my new neighbors are.”
Compliment them on something – “I really like your poster of U2. I love their music.”
Ask them where they are from. Ask about their interests. Share where you are from and some of your interests.
If they are hesitant to share, then you share first. Like this: “I’m from Chicago. You know, the windy city – home of the Cubs and Bears. Where are you from?”
Ask your hall mates or suite mates to lunch
Ask your new hall mates or suite mates to go to lunch. Talk about what interest them. Ask them questions about themselves. Most people’s favorite topic is themselves. Share information about yourself. Like this: “Oh so you are interested in art, especially the Impressionists. I love to go the the Art Institute there in Chicago. I have seen the Monet’s and Van Gogh’s many times. I prefer Van Gogh who do you like best.”
At Belhaven University in Jackson MS buffet style meals are served at Bailey Dining Commons
When you pass them by in the hall or on campus, make sure that you speak to them or wave at them. Everyone likes to be noticed. (If they don’t speak back, then don’t be offended. Assume that they didn’t see you or were lost in thought.)
Pro tip: Be intentional about making new friends in college.
3. Invigorate Your Spirit By Attending Extracurricular Activities
It could be said that you learn more from college than just academics. College can be the training ground for life. For many, it’s where many important relationships begin.
Focusing solely on academics prevents you from the opportunity to meet others who may be relatable.
You’re in this thing together!
Attend a football game
Plan to attend at least one football game. Even if you don’t like sports or football, you need to have an awareness or somewhat understanding of it. At most colleges, it is the largest social event. A lot more happens than just football at the game. Some people don’t even really watch the game – they just eat, talk to the people surrounding them, and yell when everyone else does.
Go to school’s athletic website and find out how to get a student ticket to the game. Most colleges have student sections in their stadiums where you can sit and watch the game for free. If your school is highly competitive (meaning your school has a good team), then it may be a more difficult process. You have to enter a ticket lottery prior to the game.
Ask your friends about the game and invite them to go with you. You may want to join your school’s special fan section.
Gordon College is a small college in New England that offers a wide variety of intercultural activities like Chinese Student Fellowship AFRO Hamwe and La Rasa
Attend a musical, play, or dance show at your college. Most colleges have a performing arts theatre with a schedule of events.
Go watch a varsity sport other than football like volleyball, wrestling, or field hockey. With most of these events, you can attend it free by showing your student ID.
Many artists, comedians, or writers include colleges in their tours and so they have concerts, shows, or lectures at certain universities. Find out who is coming to perform at your college and attend an event with friends or by yourself.
Visit your school’s art gallery. Many universities have traveling exhibitions that are shown at participating schools which are free to the public.
Take in the planetarium show. Many colleges have planetariums and you can see the shows for free or at a discounted rate with your student ID.
Many clubs have festivals or cultural events. Check out your schools event listings to see what is scheduled. At Charleston Southern University, they have many school traditions like caroling in the science building, a spring formal, and the Bus Fever Fair.
Research your own schools traditions and become a part of them Charleston Southern University has traditions like Caroling on the Round Homecoming and Spring Formal
Also, you may learn more about your surrounding town or city by getting involved in service activities that your college sponsors, deepening your social connections to the community.
Pro tip: As early as freshman orientation, attend information sessions for club/intramural activities. Study your school’s website to learn more about what clubs and activities you can be a part of. Join social media for cultural events, sports, religious events, visiting authors/artists/musicians events.
4.Boost Your Brain Power With 7-8 Hours of Sleep
It may seem childish to have a “bedtime”, but getting in these hours of sleep will help boost your mood and lighten the load of anxiety. Lack of sleep makes it hard to think clearly and often makes one anxious and irritable.
Get 7 8 hours of sleep each night
Decide on a time that you will go to bed to sleep. Allow at least 8 hours for sleep. For example, let’s say that you have 8am classes, then you need to go to bed at 11pm which allows you to wake up at 7am with plenty of time to get ready for class.
Put this time on your schedule. Put this in your Google calendar, on your Apple Watch, or wherever you keep your calendar.
Back 7 hours off of your bedtime to determine the time that you stop drinking caffeine. For a 10pm bedtime, you would need to stop drinking caffeine by 3pm.
Make sure that your bed is comfortable Here is a sample room at Blackstone Hall at Biola University in La Mirada CA
Establish a bedtime routine. A healthy one may look like this: stretch or work out, take a bath, brush your teeth, read a little, and then get into bed.
Pro tip: Schedule sleep. Make it a part of your calendar, just like your upcoming dentist appointment.
5. Work To Improve Your Mood
Getting a job on campus or working an internship on campus are great ways to widen your network of connections with people. Not only that but work can be a great opportunity to get life experiences with working at a trade and/or with the public.
Get a job at the college library
On your college website, go look at the job postings for student employment. For example, on UNCC’s (University of North Carolina at Charlotte) website, you can go to the student employment page and look at the job postings like below:
At the University of North Carolina at Charlotte they have a webpage with listings of on campus off campus federal study and graduate assistant jobs
Consider an on-campus job like being a receptionist for a building or a center. With jobs like these, you meet a lot of people, the work is light, and you even have time to study at work when things are slow.
Consider being an assistant in a program or area of study that you are interested in. By working in that area, you get a clearer idea of what a career in that field looks like and you learn even more what you like or dislike about work. Pepperdine University has a tool called Handshake to help you find an internship as well as micro-internships and scholarships available as part of an internship.
Pepperdine University has a tool called Handshake to help you find an internship as well as micro internships and scholarships available as part of an internship
Ask your professor about any internships or campus jobs. They may know about some openings before they are listed. By letting them know that you are interested, you are ahead of the game and have a better chance at getting the job. They may even create a job for you!
Attend career workshops and seminars. At Syracuse University, they offer a drop-in mentoring program at the LaunchPad where they discuss entrepreneurship.
Pro tip: Look into campus jobs before semester starts. This will give you the jump on job openings. Internships often come later into the school career. Ask your department advisor for any internships in your area of study your school.
6. Touch Homebase
Home base is a fallback when things go sideways and you need advice. Having a loved one or friend who “knows” you can be a source of encouragement and possibly advice when you feel isolated and unsure of yourself.
Spend some time with your parents and younger siblings
Stay in touch with high school friends by texting or calling them occasionally.
Plan a trip to visit one of your close high school friends during the semester or at a break. For example, your friend maybe attending a college in the mountains. You could go visit them near winter break and go skiing or sledding.
Don’t neglect your family. Make time for your family when they come to visit. Go with them to the planetarium or the football game. Make sure that you schedule adequate time to spend with them when they visit – two to three hours would be reasonable.
When you come home on breaks, plan time with your family. Eat a few meals with them. Visit grandma. If you come home for the weekend or during break, try to spend at least 3-4 hours of quality time with them.
At Briercrest College in Caronport SK Canada friends of the same gender can stay in the dorm room up to 3 nights before there is a $5 charge
When you are home, call high school friends and hang out with them some. Spend 3-4 hours playing cards, watching a football, swimming, or go shopping together.
Pro tip: List the names of people you trust must and keep them in mind for when it feels like things are falling apart.
7. Help Your Head With Hydration
Your mom isn’t there to make sure you have water. With increased stress and potential poor lifestyle habits, getting enough water may seem the least of your concerns. Being able to concentrate and thus have a better mood could be compromised.
Drink water to stay hydrated
Carry a water bottle with you. You can go to Wal-Mart or Target and get an inexpensive one or get a Yeti. Just make sure that you have access to water on you.
Note that walking on campus burns up a lot of calories and may cause you to aspire.
At Calvin University in Grand Rapids MI they have a registered dietician with over 35 years of experience
If you are feeling dizzy or have a headache, then drink some water. These are symptoms of being dehydrated.
Pro tip: Buy a water bottle that measures how much water you are drinking to ensure you get what you need.
8. Block Bluelights from Your Brain
What would you do without your phone? It pretty much organizes your day, doesn’t it? Limiting screen time sounds like a no-go, but if you learn to use it more efficiently, you could better prioritize your time in general.
There’s a correlation between decreased mental health and frequency of social media use. Also the blue light emitted by screens disrupt your circadian rhythm, inhibiting regular sleep cycles.
Limiting screen time can help you to relax and be in tune with your environment
When you are at lunch with others, put your phone away. Interact fully with your friends.
While you are at a lecture or in class, put your phone away in your book bag.
While you are walking on campus, try to keep your phone in your pocket. This will allow you to be alert to car and foot traffic. You will be more aware of your surroundings and have opportunity to speak to friends as well. You will miss waving to a friend if you are looking down at your phone.
If your video game console is preventing you from excelling academically or limiting your social interactions, then you may need to put it in your closet or send it back home. You can play video games anytime and anywhere, but college experiences are only available for a limited time.
Plan on a time to put your phone away at night. For example, if your bedtime is at 11pm, then you would want to put your phone away at 10:30pm.
Pro-tip: Place app timers on your frequently used apps to keep yourself accountable.
9. Work Smarter Not Harder
College is a great way to learn how to use your time wisely. Now more than ever you have the freedom to have friends, have a social life, and make independent choices. Study time may not be on the top of your priority list, but if you use your time more effectively, you may end up benefitting your social life. Don’t let procrastinating by studying the night before an exam, keep you from a party. Study smarter, not harder.
Young collage student using computer and mobile device studying online Education and online learning
Block out your study time during your school week. You may want to mark this on your calendar. For example, your class schedule may have a two hour break where you are on campus. This would be a perfect time for you to schedule your study time.
Crown College in Saint Bonifacius MN has a lot of their library information online where you can do online research search by subject and look at the database archives
Pick a study space where you feel comfortable and undistracted. This will be the place where you know in your mind that you have come to study. As you are walking to this place, your mind would be preparing to be in the studying mode. For example, you may want to go to a certain secluded desk in the library away from the library traffic. Or you may wish to go to a certain building that has an empty room that is always quiet.
Carry your study supplies with you everywhere. You never know when you may have time to study. If you carry your books, computer, and notes with you, then you can make just about every opportunity and opportunity to study. For example, you may be waiting for your pizza at the restaurant. On the bench outside, you can just sit down and study while you wait.
Pro tip: Schedule study time into your daily calendar each day.
10. Relax Your Mood by Managing Your Minutes
A calendar is a tool to help you organize your time. Our time is a finite resource. It should never be wasted or mismanaged. To make the most of your college years, you will want to utilize your calendar.
Write down important dates on your calendar like when papers are due or exam dates
After you register for your classes, mark on your calendar when you have that class. For example, if you have Chemistry 100 at 8am, then write Chem 101 at the 8am time slot for everyday that you have it.
At the beginning of each semester you are given a syllabus from each professor. Take that syllabus and check to see what days that the class is meeting. There may be times that the professor has decided not to meet for some reason.
With each class syllabus, write down when every exam, test, quiz, project, and assignment is due. For example, if an Economics paper is due on October 6th, then you will write “Econ paper due” on the October 6 date.
Highlight or use a bright color marker for the assignments that count a lot toward your grade. For example, you may want to right your exams in a red marker. Like this – MIDTERM.
Write down which days are football games or basketball games. Even if you don’t plan to go, it is good to know for traffic-sake, especially at big universities.
Mark down other special events like concerts, theatre plays, special speakers, or festivals.
Make sure to write down weekly events. For example, if you go to a bible study every Thursday at 6pm, then put it on your calendar.
If you join a limited commitment like a intramural volleyball team, then you will want to put down practice times and game times.
Keep you calendar handy. As you schedule lunch dates or times to hang out with friends, write them on your calendar so that you don’t overcommit or forget. For example, you may see a friend walking through campus who likes to play frisbee golf. If you have your calendar, then you can schedule a 7am tee time with them.
You may also want to write down needs or errands on your calendar so that you don’t forget to do or get something. For example, you may have committed to bringing Hershey syrup to an ice cream party. Mark it down on your calendar at a time that is convenient for you to get it or make a reminder on your phone at that time.
Pro tip: Daily planners can be a great back-up to your phone, to keep you on track.
11. Get Moving for Your Mood
Exercise is a natural anti-depressant and all-around healthy life habit. Whether you prefer group exercise at your school’s recreation center (another social opportunity—bonus!) or completing a YouTube workout video alone, you will reap the health benefits from regular exercise.
Put on your workout clothes. (If you don’t have workout clothes, then go get some first.) One of the hardest parts is getting started. By putting your workout clothes on you are getting things going.
At California Baptist University in Riverside CA they have a Golf Simulator for the students to use
Walk to the gym. (If you are not on campus, then drive to the gym.) Just walking to the gym is good exercise.
Get help. Go inside the gym and walk up to the check-in counter and ask the person to help you with a workout routine. Say, “I want to come up with a good routine that will help me get into better shape, but not discourage me too much.” Many times, they have someone on staff who will introduce you to the equipment and help you come up with a routine.
Exercise at your college gym
Do your routine. After you figure out your exercise routine, then just do it. Don’t think too much. Walk over to the equipment or your exercise space and begin. Just getting started is many times a big hurdle. Once you get started, it is easier to continue.
Pro tip 1: Start out small. If you’ve not regularly exercised before, five minutes you commit to tomorrow is five more minutes than the zero minutes you did yesterday.
Pro tip 2: If you need the added motivation and accountability, find a workout buddy to participate in these activities together.
Pro tip 3: Your college may be located in a new area to you. Are there hiking, walking, running options? Learn more about where you live by enjoying the outdoors!
12. Join a Structured Group
Clubs, intramural activities, faith groups, and fraternities/sororities can all be ways of expediting connections. When you get together with others over common interests and/or common goals it can give your social life and sense of community a boost!
Freshmen students at a university campus club fair engage with various booths to discover and sign up for clubs and organizations the bustling event fosters connection and involvement in extracurricular activities for new students
If you like sports, then join an intramural team. Every college has intramural sports where you play in a competitive league or just a recreational one. You can try a sport that you have never played by playing in a coed recreational league. For example, Anderson University in Anderson, IN offers 16 unique sports and 4 tournaments through the year.
Anderson University in Anderson IN offers 16 unique sports and 4 tournaments through the year
Many colleges will have a club fair at the beginning of the school year. But even if you miss it, you may join a club later in the year. At Baylor University, they have over 400 clubs and organizations and you can connect with a Student Involvement Specialist who can help you find your group and activities.
At Baylor University they have over 400 clubs and organizations and you can connect with a Student Involvement Specialist who can help you find your group and activities
Pledge at a Fraternity or Sorority. Find one that has your similar values and goals. Of course, some fraternities of sororities can influence you negatively and you want to avoid them. But being part of a greek organization provides ample opportunity for socialization. Most fraternities and sororities have many planned social interactions and activities. At the University of New Mexico, they have over 21 men and women’s organizations where recruitment begins in the fall and you must fill out an orientation form.
Join a faith group. Of course, Christian colleges offer many faith groups like Regent University have Connect Groups that meet on Tuesday nights and a discipleship program called Forerunners that last 3 years. Public universities have faith groups as well. For example, UCLA (the University of California at Los Angeles) offers many faith organizations on there Student Organizations / Religious page like 4Corners Christian Fellowship, Asian American Christian Fellowship, and Klesis Christian Fellowship.
Pro tip: The beginning of a school year and being at a new school, at that, can be overwhelming and the idea of putting yourself “out there” in the very beginning may feel intimidating. However, it’s much easier to get yourself “plugged in” early than to catch up later or not at all. These activities often make their biggest attempts to recruit right at the beginning of the semester. If you wait, you may miss out in getting connected.
13. Optimize Your Performance with Nutrition
At home you may have had less say in what you ate. College may seem like a smorgasbord and lend itself to surviving off of junk food at any hour of the day or night. It may be fun to eat, but the lack of nutritional value can be poor for brain health.
Eating a healthy salad will help you to feel better and regulate your diet
Try to limit your processed foods. Processed foods have many unhealthy additives that may cause unwanted side effects.
Make sure that you eat raw fruit and vegetables during the week. Have a raw carrot, celery, or broccoli and snack on an apple, banana, or orange. Fruits and vegetables give you nutrients that are important for your health.
Try to limit your sugar intake. Foods with excessive sugar may give you a short term energy boost but they cause long-term fatigue among other issues.
Pro tip: Adding more protein to your diet can help satiate you and prevent eating food empty of nutritional value.
14. Boost Your Grade & Mood with a Study Group
One way to learn if you have common interests with others is to become part of a group. Many classes have built-in study groups or you may be able to start your own.
Study groups can help you learn and be fun
Talk to other classmates and see if any of them are interested in studying with you. Mention meeting at the library or some designated place. Say something like this, “If you are interested in studying together, then just let me know. I am at the library in the northwest corner at about 3pm every Tuesday.”
Use your “Study Buddies” app. This is a convenient way to get in touch with classmates to see if they would like to study together. At NC State University, they have a study buddy program that you can connect with other students in your class of study.
Talk to the professor or TA (teaching assistant) and ask if there are already organized study groups and how to be a part of them.
NC State University has a study buddy program
Go to your “Learning Center” or place where tutoring is offered on campuses. Most campuses have specific programs that offer free tutoring or organized study groups.
Join an “Accountability Group”. At the University of South Carolina, accountability groups meet weekly for 90 minutes during the semester and are facilitated by Peer Coaches.
At the University of South Carolina accountability groups meet weekly for 90 minutes during the semester and are facilitated by Peer Coaches
Pro tip: If you’ve already declared your major, a study group for one of these classes may help you better get to know classmates and develop friendships with people who have common interests as you.
15. Make & Hang Out with Friends
Lack of connection has become a major factor in the downfall of mental health in this country. Face to face contact is at a new low. We are social beings and simply relying on social media does not create authentic, healthy relationships.
Hanging out with friends can really improve your mental health and reduce stress
Strike up a conversation with the person sitting by you in class. It may go something like this: “Wow, it sounds like this class may have a lot of work! Those reading assignments seem to be a lot and then having to write discussion essays. Have you done those discussion essays for a class before?… I did it once and it took a while for me to get the hang of it…Have you had this professor before? … I haven’t either but my roommate said that he was pretty hard. Well, I like a challenge though…”
Ask them their name and share yours. Something like this: “By the way, I’m ______. What’s your name?”
Remember their name! Write their name on your class synopsis or something so that you will not forget. Next time that you see them, call them by name. Like this: “What’s going on, Kayla?” Or “How are you doing, Kyle?” And smile when you see them.
Remember to ask them some questions about themselves like “What’s your major?” Or “How did you do with the homework from last week?”
Remember to share some thoughts or things about yourself like “Yeah, I’m planning on majoring in economics but I’m not sure.” Or “Man, that homework took a while to complete – I didn’t get to finish watching the last episode of One Piece.”
If it’s a short conversation, then don’t ask them to hang out. Wait until you have spoken to them on a few separate occasions. If the conversation is good and it seems that you have hit it off, then consider asking them to hang out. You can say something like this, “I am going to Main Street to get a bite to eat, would you like to join me?” Or “Oh, you haven’t seen One Piece. You need to. It’ good. If you want to, you can come to my place and we can watch a couple of episodes.” Or “Yeah, I love to play tennis. Why don’t we play sometime? When a good time to meet you on the court?”
Pro tip: Be intentional about creating time to spend with people. Look for opportunities to get involved in your community.
16. Limit Drug/Alcohol Use
There are a lot of freedoms now that you’re away from home. Sometimes fun times can morph into something more than mere distractions and can actually jeopardize your ability to stay in college. Coming off of hangovers can make it more difficult to show up to class and commit to the work that college requires.
Protect yourself It is healthy to say No to alcohol especially if someone else mixed the drink
With Alcohol
Know your limit. If you have never drank alcohol, then do not drink more than one drink or serving the first time. Different people react different to alcohol. Your tolerance may be very low or you may have an adverse reaction to it.
Do not combine drinks. If you are drinking beer, then don’t switch to liquor or wine. Liquor and wine have a much higher alcohol content percentage than beer. The average alcohol content percentage for beer is about 5% though it can be as high as 12%. Wine has an average alcohol content percentage of 12% but it can be as high as 23%. Liquor can range from 15% to 96%.
Alcohol consumption can kill you. Alcohol poisoning is when you drink too much alcohol in a short period of time. It can lead to serious illness or death. Some symptoms can be confusion, vomiting, seizures, slow breathing, irregular breathing, skin that looks blue, gray, or pale, low body temperature, and trouble staying conscious.
Never leave your drink unattended. Unmonitored drinks can be spiked with any kind of unknown substance.
With Marijuana
Recognize the short-term effects of being “high” which are changes in mood, impaired body movement, altered sense of time, difficulty with thinking & problem-solving, impaired memory, and altered senses (for example, seeing brighter colors).
Be aware of the immediate risks of high doses of marijuana which can be hallucinations (hearing voices), delusions, or psychosis.
Avoid the long-term risks of THC in teenagers which is lowering your brain function or mental IQ. A study on twins has shown a significant decline in general knowledge and in verbal ability (equivalent to 4 IQ points). A study from Duke University has shown that people who start heavy marijuana use in their teenage years lost an average of 8 IQ points from 13 to 38 years old.
Recognize that the THC levels in marijuana and other products is higher than in the past. So do not compare the usage of older persons when they were in college to the present-day usage. It is not equivalent.
Note the physical effects of marijuana use which is breathing problems, increased heart rate, intense nausea and vomiting, and problems with child development during and after pregnancy.
With Vaping
Note that vaping can cause injury or death. While vaping is less harmful than smoking, it can be dangerous. In 2020, the CDC confirmed 2,807 cases of vaping use-associated lung injury (EVALI) and 68 deaths attributed to that condition.
Nicotine is highly addictive. It can cause you to become dependent on vaping.
Vaping can expose you to toxic metals like lead, chromium, nickel, and arsenic. Breathing these metals in can damage the lungs, liver, immune system, and brain, and it may increase the risk of cancer.
Nicotine can make anxiety and depression worse.
With Caffeine
Although caffeine can increase alertness, it can cause nervousness and anxiety when it is consumed too much. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) calls the affliction, caffeine-induced anxiety disorder.
Caffeine can adversely affect your sleeping causing you not to fall asleep or keep you from getting enough sleep. Do not drink caffeine about 7 hours before you plan to go to sleep. Note that caffeine affects people in different ways.
Caffeine can cause your blood pressure and your heart rate to rise. Elevated blood pressure is a risk factor for heart attack and strokes. A rapid heart rate can lead to an altered heartbeat rhythm called atrial fibrillation.
Caffeine can cause digestive and urinary tract issues. Too much caffeine can have a laxative effect causing diarrhea. It can worsen gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in some people. Caffeine causes a stimulatory effect on the bladder whereas you have more frequent urination and urgency.
You can have too much caffeine which is called caffeine intoxication which can have some severe symptoms like trouble breathing and seizures. In a few cases, people have died from caffeine intoxication.
With Prescription Pills, Cocaine, and Other Controlled Substances
Prescription or controlled substances are controlled for a reason – they are highly addictive, highly lethal, or both.
Do not take drugs without the oversight of a physician. People react differently to drugs and medication. You may have an allergy to a drug that you are not aware of.
Even a little bit of cocaine can kill you. Illegal cocaine production is not monitored and many times is laced with fentanyl. Small amounts of fentanyl can kill you.
Pro tip: Protect your commitment to school by limiting when you allow yourself alcohol. Being sober-conscious these days has become more socially acceptable now than ever before. Being intentional about when you drink and the outcome is important. That may mean only drinking on Friday nights. You can still be social and have fun without the aftereffects of alcohol. It may be what keeps you in school and what sends your buddies home.
17. Stay Safe: Know Your Campus Protocol
You’re in a new, unfamiliar place. It can be easy to get caught up in the excitement and miss potential dangers. Many campuses have thorough safety protocols, but you may not be aware of them unless you look into them.
Be safe by walking in groups on campus especially at night
Familiarize yourself with the campus bussing. Learn how early and how late your transportation system runs. Find out how far-reaching campus transportation goes. For example, the University of Kentucky has 7 bus routes that operate a continuous frequent service, you just need to know how early or late they run and where the bus stops are. Below is a map of the Blue Route:
Sign up for free safety alerts. At Appalachian State University, they have an emergency messaging system called AppState-ALERT that current students, faculty, and staff can register to receive text messages and phone call alerts.
Fresno Pacific University has emergency texts that are sent during a crisis
Seek help from your campus security when you may be in danger. At the University at Idaho, they have a free service called Safe Walk where campus security will meet you anywhere on campus and walk you to your destination.
Report crimes or suspicious persons. If a crime has happened to you or you witness a crime or suspicious person, then call campus police and tell them as many details as you can.
Know the safety procedures for your residence hall such as keeping the outside door shut, not propping the door open, and not having uninvited persons in the dormitory.
Pro tip: Travel in at least pairs if not in groups. If you know that you will have to go somewhere alone, plan beforehand to have campus transportation or use campus escorts as part of your plan.
18. Bon Voyage Bad Mood
Starting college may seem daunting enough, but traveling internationally for your education may seem to be completely overwhelming! The great thing about these opportunities is that you have a built-in group of cohorts who have similar interests, while in a foreign country.
A study abroad is a good way to live your spirits and get a new perspective
Go on a faculty-led study abroad program during the summer. At Campbell University, they have 12 study abroad opportunities for the summer like British Literature in Great Britain, Chemistry & Art in Italy, Ecology & Culture in Hawaii, and Psychology & Music in Vienna.
Southern Wesleyan University offers many study abroad opportunities
Study in a different country. At Southern Wesleyan University, there are numerous study abroad opportunities. They have international learning trips during spring break or in May. They offer Global Engagement Trips and opportunities to study for a semester in London, the Middle East, or Uganda.
Go on a mission trip. Gardner-Webb University offers a summer mission trip to Kenya as well as fall and spring break mission trips in the United States. Many faith-based college groups offer mission trips as well. For example, Cru offers summer missions trips all over the United States and all over the world from one week to about two months.
Pro tip: Learn the opportunities your area of study has in other countries. Ask professors/advisors what your program has to offer in study abroad. Study abroad programs require preparing in advance, most of the time, so if is something you want to do, be prepared to inquire about it early.
Johnson University in Knoxville TN offers study abroad programs to Ecuador Greece Italy Israel and England
19. Faith & Fellowship Feed Good Feelings
Being away from home can feel like being uprooted. That paired with being in a completely new environment can distance you from the sense of family you may have had in your home faith community. Fortunately, many universities have places of worship near campus. There are often religious student groups that meet on and off campus.
Regular worship with others offers a sense of connectedness with not only God but also with others
Start attending a church, synagogue, or other place of worship as soon as you begin school. In college towns, there is usually a few churches within walking distance from the campus.
Visit the college aged small group or classes available at the nearby churches. Since these churches are so close, many of them will have ministries or small groups that cater specifically to college students.
Join a campus ministry. Some nationwide interdenominational campus ministries are: InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF), Crusade for Christ (Cru), and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). The strength of these ministries vary at each college. Specific denominations have campus ministries as well like: Baptist Student Union (BSU), Wesley Center (Methodist), and Focus (Catholic).
Attend a Bible study. Many of these campus ministries offer bible studies in the dorm. This is a great way to meet people and learn more about the Bible.
Go on a retreat. These campus ministries offer retreats in the fall and in the spring. They are fun and great ways to meet people.
Pro tip#1: Don’t wait to “ease back into” church. Seek out places to worship in the beginning of the semester. It may take a while to find the place that is the right fit for you, which could take some time.
Pro tip #2: Go to your student union and look for information for on-campus student faith groups. Some schools even have dedicated student unions from different faith denominations.
20. Don’t Go Home Every Weekend
Reliving your high school days with old friends may seem to fill a social void for you. Or, you may feel like going back to your “comfort zone” at home. Avoid doing this. The weekend is the best time to get to know your dorm mates, participate in campus activities, and get connected with a place of worship near campus.
Staying on campus on the weekends gives you time to meet people and be involved with campus activities
Make a commitment to stay on campus at least 3 out of the 4 weekends in a month.
Plan activities with your roommate, dorm mates, or other friends. You may want to go to the football game together, go ice skating, go on a hike, or make homemade ice cream.
Go to a new event or group setting. At Colorado Christian University, they have on-campus activities like King Cougar (mock male beauty pageant), O’Malley’s Alley (lip-syncing competition), Fall Dance, Spring Formal, Stick Em (all campus tag), game nights, and a color run.
Pro tip #1: Don’t let “getting your laundry done at home” be the excuse to go back home on the weekends. Get to know where the laundry rooms are when you first tour your dorm.
Pro tip #2: Consider not bringing your car to avoid the temptation to travel back and forth from college to home, if you intend on living on campus and are not a commuter.
Pro tip #3: Find out local concerts, performances, shows and athletic events that are happening on or around campus over the weekends. This is a great way to enjoy the unique offerings of the area that you live in now!
21. Take Advantage of Your Campus Counseling Services
Sometimes life can be so overwhelming. You’re thrust into this new environment, meeting new people and trying to meet new demands. You may feel like no one “gets” you.
Most colleges offer mental health support where you can talk to someone trained to help. Many offer free counseling to their students. Some schools offer formal counseling sessions, along with drop-in opportunities.
Take advantage of your colleges counseling services
Go to your school’s website and see what counseling services are offered. For example, at Liberty University they have an entire separate website dedicated to CAPS ( Counseling And Psychological Services). They offer individual, couples, and group counseling along with mental health screening and psychological assessments.
Harding University has 6 professional counselors that provide free counseling to Hardings students
Sign up for a mental health coping skills class. Many colleges offer these classes to help students learn to manage anxiety and depression. One poplar class is on mindfulness by the Mindfulness Institute of Emerging Adults. These certified mindfulness trainers teach you healthy breathing, self-awareness, and ways to combat loneliness.
Schedule individual counseling at your school’s counseling services. This service is a part of your tuition and so you might as well take advantage of it. Your school may even have “embedded” counselors that is a counselor specific to your program of study. Many counselors specialize to your particular need as well.
Use your school’s online mental health resources. For example, at George Fox University they have virtual medical and counseling services called TimelyCare which is available 24/7. Students download the app on their phone. They can access features like Talk Now, Scheduled Counseling, Self-Care Content, Peer Support Community, and Unlimited Health Coaching.
George Fox University offers virtual medical and counseling services
22. Nosh with Your Neighbors
Walking into a college cafeteria by yourself can feel so lonely. Nothing brings people together like food.
Eating with friends makes campus life a lot more joyful
When you go to lunch, make it a habit of asking your roommate if they want to grab a bite to eat with you.
If they say “no”, then don’t fret or worry about it. Ask someone else like one of your suite mates or hall mates.
If they say “no” as well, don’t take it personally. Ask again next time that you go to eat.
Keep asking until you find someone who enjoys going to eat with you or their schedule works with yours or whatever.
Afterwards, you can keep asking this person who enjoys eating with you, but don’t stop asking your roommate or dorm mates every once in a while. Don’t assume that you know why they don’t want to eat with you. They may have even more anxiety than you.
Pro tip #1: Try asking a classmate for coffee for an impromptu study session.
Pro tip #2: Share your goody bag with hall mates. Many students get candy and other sweet treats sent from home. Sharing your goods is always a good way to make friends.
Pro tip #3: Invite your dorm neighbors over for pizza or aim bigger and organize a dorm floor get-together in the lobby for food.
Pro tip #4: If you have access to a kitchen or kitchenette on your floor in the dorm, throw a potluck for your floor. Or just bake cookies in the oven and offer them to people on your floor.
23. Ease the Pressure with an Exit Strategy
Beginning with an end in mind is not a bad idea. Getting a four year degree does not secure a future career. College is not for everyone, in fact, there can be better choices for some people.
College is not for everyone You may enjoy learning more hands on and being more active The military offers training for many different marketable skills and jobs
Stop sooner than later. Remember that you can always return to college. There is not an age limit.
Don’t fall victim to the sunk cost fallacy—the choice to continue to ride out a decision because it costed you money or time. Just because you spent money and time on something that you do not wish to pursue doesn’t mean that that time and money was wasted. You learned something very valuable – “that you didn’t like it.” Sometimes, people don’t figure this out until their 10 years or so into a career. That is valuable information. “Failing” or quitting something that didn’t fulfill you is not a mistake – it is a learning opportunity. You are learning the path that God wants you to take – your purpose.
Try as many jobs as you can. Many times, you don’t know if you like something until you do it for a while. By working during the summer or the school year, you learn a lot about different jobs and about yourself and what you like or dislike.
Consider getting certified or licensed in a trade. Some certifications or licenses require a four year bachelor’s degree like teaching and some require a masters or higher, but many others do not like plumbing, cosmetology, auto mechanics, electrical wiring, IT, insurance, or mortgage brokering. For insurance or mortgage brokering, you do not need to go to college for even a semester, but take a few weeks of classes and pass the test. (The tests are not easy though.)
Pro tip #1: Before beginning your first semester in a bachelor’s program, research trade school programs that you would consider as alternatives to a bachelor’s program.
Pro tip #2: Get to know people who went the trade school route. Learn what they did get in the career they are in. Ask how they did it. Many have programs that are two years or less and can set you on the path of earning a higher paycheck than your bachelor’s program cohorts. You may enjoy more hands-on work environments instead of what the academic experience of a bachelor’s program has to offer.
24. Make Sure Your Relationship Doesn’t Limit Your College Experience
If you are in a relationship that has carried over from high school, it could challenge your college experience. There are varying unique factors that make your relationship challenging.
If you are considering marrying this person, you may feel increasing pressure to prioritize your time with them over everything else. If you’re not sure of your future with this person, don’t limit the experiences you can have at school.
Talk about your college expectations with your significant other before going to college
Before heading off to college (or if you’re already there and find yourself hitting a road bump), make a list of your priorities. How do you plan on spending your free time? Do you want to be in a club, sorority/fraternity? How much time will you allot each day for study and homework? Do you need a job?
Example List
Make 3.2 or higher GPA – study at least 2 hours per day
Create lasting friendships – stay at school on the weekends to hang out, go to football games, attend retreats, etc.
Join a fraternity or club – attend outings and hang-outs
Learn about work in my field of study – have a campus job or internship in that area
Determine the amount time needed to accomplish your goals or meet your college priorities.
Evaluate your relationship. Do they have the same goals and priorities as you do? Do they have the same values? Is this a lasting relationship? Are you ready for a more committed relationship or is the timing wrong?
Share with your partner what your priorities while in college will be and discuss the amount of time that you would be able to commit to the relationship during that time. If it is a lasting relationship, then they will be willing to adjust and wait. If they are a similar age and have similar priorities, then their time commitment would be similar as well.
Pro tip: Consider balancing your life. Just because you love someone at the time, doesn’t mean you won’t have regrets later if the relationship dissolves and you missed out enjoying the college experience.
Now It’s Your Turn
I hope that this post showed you how to improve your mental health using some cool, effective strategies.
Now, I’d like to know what you think.
Which suggestion from this post are you ready to try first?
Are you going to invite someone to eat lunch with you?
Or
Maybe you are going to work on a calendar.
Either way, let me know In the comments section below.