Everyone knows the dreaded myth of the "freshman fifteen." It is rumored that every freshman gains fifteen pounds within their first year of college, but why? First let me tell you that I know lots of people who have come back from their first year of college thinner and more fit that when they left for college and I also know plenty who gained more than fifteen pounds. In no way am I saying that the freshman fifteen is a legitimate claim, but I could see how many freshman are overwhelmed with their work load, new environment and social activities of college and are driven to the many comfort foods made readily available to students! Luckily, I am well acclimated to the stress of college because I manage my time well, I organize, plan and have dealt with juggling many different responsibilities for quite a while now.
The work load in college is different and somewhat overwhelming to any student who had the typical high-school experience of being babied through their education. In college is is a student's responsibility to know what is due and when, to prepare themselves for test and to take notes regardless of the professor's teaching style. It is stressful to do all of these things when the majority of freshman are woefully unprepared for the style of education that is common in college. To deal with these new struggles I have made good use of my lovely Lilly planner, that makes organization a little more pleasant. I write down my daily to-do list throughout the day and put all of the most important assignments all the way to the end of the semester. I have found it easiest to completely plan out my day including study time, workout time, relaxation time and time to socialize because I am more likely to do my schoolwork when I know I have time to watch Netflix later in the day. I also try as best as I can to not procrastinate on my schoolwork including study time. This way I am not overwhelmed the day before something is due.
Though the workload and school is one of the biggest stressors, the new environment and social part of college can also be very stressful. Most people left their home, friends, structure, and comfort zone at the beginning of college and are lost without this place they love. Being away from home means a lot of the times you are missing family and friends that have always been a part of ones life, some deal with this by going home every weekend but I feel by doing so you miss out on a crucial part of the college experience, gaining independence. College means you have to go outside of your comfort zone, make new friends, do your own laundry and learn to miss your parents but be strong enough to be by yourself for a little while. However, being away from home also means you don't have your parents to tell you when to go to bed, when to study and fuss at you when you mess up. A lot of students come to school and the it's okay to skip class, not do work, stay up late every night and party hard. Though we all have the freedom and capability to do these things we all need to learn to regulate and restrict our own actions like mature adults. The consequences are much more grand than being in high-school and being grounded for a bad grade, this is our future we're building. Though the pressure of being on my own is stressful I was well prepared because in high-school I was independent and able to balance multiple sports, part-time jobs, social life and schoolwork. Being prepared before college made the transition all the more simple for me.
We will all experience stress and will probably experience stress for the rest of our lives. It is so easy to be buried under the burden of everything going on in our lives when one is determined to do it all by their self. It is so important to know when to ask for help in all we do, whether it be with school work or a personal problem someone will always be there to help you. At this school alone there are tutoring programs, teachers and R.M.s made available to everyone here. Though being stressed in almost guaranteed in life it can be managed.
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