Before you start your first semester of college you have all these preconceived expectations of what your life is about to look like. Most of the time we’re completely wrong and it could end up being way worse or better than what you thought it would be. In my head I thought it would be partying it up everyday and meeting all my new best friends. Little did I know I was completely wrong. My first year of college I went to Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, the oldest town in Texas.

I think what hit me the hardest was that I was expecting to make all these new friends that would stick by me through the rest of my life, like everyone always says. My best friend and roommate was the only friend I had that whole year, of course there were people I was acquainted with through her because she joined a sorority so she knew a ton of people. Greek life just wasn’t for me and it’s scary putting yourself out there in classes because no one is really there to make friends, and trying to talk during a lecture doesn’t work. I tried joining their newspaper, The Pine Log, but the atmosphere to me was ‘off’ and no one made me feel overly welcome, so it lost my interest.

The work load in college is something you don’t really understand until you’re doing 5+ hours of homework plus studying for a test the next day and it ends in a meltdown. My mental health has always been something that I am self-aware about. But in college it’s so much different because of all the extra stuff on your plate. It’s hard being thrown into the world with all these responsibilities you’re expected to keep up. It’s like you graduate high school, (where you didn’t retain any information because the teachers and the curriculum sucks) and then everyone acts like you’re all of the sudden an adult who knows everything and you’re completely ready for anything college throws. To say the least, my mental health was deteriorating in the atmosphere that I was in. Then, I transferred to Texas State University and my whole world did a 180.

Okay so enough sappy stuff, here are some ways to make sure you maintain your mental health in college:

• Eat three meals a day!! I can’t stress how much my mental health improved when I actually started making time in the morning to make a filling breakfast. I know it’s hard because of how busy you maybe, but I promise starting your day with a full stomach gives you energy to get through your day.
• Make time to do things you really love and that give you a little escape from reality. This could be literally anything. Also remember that just because you don’t have years of practice or skill in one particular hobby doesn’t mean you can’t do it because you simply enjoy it.
• Get good sleep!! I totally understand having to stay up late to study or do homework, but making a bad sleep schedule into a habit isn’t good for your physical and mental health.
• Surround yourself with good people who make you comfortable enough to be your 100% authentic self.
• Try to remember that grades don’t define your worth. Most of the time a couple of low test grades or a few missed assignments aren’t going to wreck your future. Going to your professors office hours help a lot if you’re uncertain about your grade or the material in the class.
• Drink as much water as you can!!!!!!
• Getting exercise is a huge stress reliever.
• Try meditating if you’re feeling overwhelmed to clear your head. When you have a calm and collected brain again, try approaching the situation you’re overwhelmed with in a different way than before.
• Make a list of everything you need to get done in the morning and check it off as you complete them.
• Join a club or organization! Getting involved with something you’re interested in outside of classes will give you the opportunity to meet people who are interested in the same things as you.

These are just some of the ways I personally attempt to take care of my mental health, but there’s more here. I hope this helped!:)