3 Ways You Can Ease Your Anxiety About Going To College

You spin the lock on your locker with the correct combination. It’s the same one you’ve known for 4 years. You open the door to make your final checks. The locker is completely empty. All of your books, papers, notes from friends, and pictures of the last 4 years are gone.

Your friends and you are off to college soon. Whether you decided to attend your community college or move to a dorm room at a university, you’re probably feeling a mixture of different emotions. You’re excited for what’s to come, but you’re also nervous, anxious, and stressed about the unexpected and unknown that’s about to come.

You were nervous about high school as well, but over the last 4 years, the building, rooms, classmates, and teachers have become your comfort zone.

Here are 3 ways you can ease your anxiety about going to college.

Practicing self-care is making time for you and your needs. There are several different ways that you can practice self-care. As a college student, it may be hard to practice self-care in the ways that initially come to mind like visiting a spa for a massage, nail appointment, or facial. Self-care doesn’t have to be expensive.

Try out a few of these no costs required self-care approaches first:

Focus on Your Sleep

Anxiety and stress can keep you up at night. If you decided to attend college in a different town or completely different state, you may also have a new roommate that you’re not fully comfortable with. Don’t worry, it will get easier with time. Aim to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night. Try not to over caffeinate yourself during the day. And avoid staying up late for all-nighters or late-night study sessions. Sleep is just as important as studying.

Get Your Body Moving

Exercising regularly is a great way to help you calm any anxiety or stress, fall asleep faster at night, and increase your overall mood. Find ways to move your body that works best for you. Hit up the gym and lift some weights. Run around your campus or on the treadmill. Attend a yoga class. Or just go for a walk instead of driving. Aim to get your body moving for at least 30 minutes every day.

Eat Well-Balanced Meals

When you go off to college, it may be easy to fall into a routine of eating whatever you want whenever you want. One of the best forms of self-care is nourishing your body from the inside out. There’s a reason your parents told you to eat your vegetables. They weren’t saying this to torment you, they wanted you to eat healthy to stay healthy. Aim to fuel your body with healthy and well-balanced meals. Get an appropriate amount of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. It’s okay to treat yourself to some sweets here and there but finding a good balance is key for your body to function and perform to the best of its ability.

Journaling can be a great way to get your thoughts and feelings out into the pages of a book instead of holding them inside. Plus, it can be a great tool to look back on later to help you determine the triggers that may be making you feel or think a certain way.

Once you identify your triggers, you can also work on coping strategies. Write down any ways you’re trying to cope to determine what may be working best for you.

It’s important to know that you’re not alone. The friends you went to high school with and all of the freshmen at your college from different high schools are also having to adjust to college.

If you’re struggling with your anxiety, reach out to us to set up a consultation. We can help you find ways to help you deal with your anxious thoughts and feelings and get you back on track to feeling your best again. Anxiety therapy can help you learn to deal with stress.

Our team of culturally competent therapists is here to offer a warm and safe space to help you navigate life’s hardships with a sense of encouragement and empathy. Find out more >