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So I just went to my orientation yesterday that seemed to make it official that college is starting soon. It marked the beginning of something new and exciting and obviously will come with a lot of change. Even though I’m nervous (which is totally normal), I’m ready to take a step forward. And also making sure I have a balance between school and everything else. How are you feeling about going into the new school year, as a new or returning student?
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I’m returning to college in about a month and a half, and I’m honestly worried that I won’t be able to cope with the stress of daily life at school. Last year was great but it was also really hard – it’s hard to admit how many days I spent in my bed, not going to class, being depressed, etc. Even though my first year of college was one of the happiest times of my life and the most healthy I’ve been, it still wasn’t good enough for me. I think for me, it was really hard to balance everything that I wanted to do so that I was able to do it as perfectly as I wanted to. But I need to remember when returning to school to take care of myself, and hopefully since it won’t be my first year anymore, I think it’ll be a much easier transition to class, homework, extracurriculars, etc.
Yeah that makes a lot of sense. School is obviously a challenge. I’m kind of excited about that though. Since I’ve been doing a lot better, I want to push my self (even if it’s just a little at a time) to get outside of my comfort zone. And when doing this keeping in mind that it’s okay not to be able to do everything in the world. I just read somewhere that self care is not selfish. I feel like that will be something I really need to remember if I get to a point where I’m spreading myself thin.
Sara, I am here to admit that I am nervous about school coming up – i find it hard to concentrate and focus. I have been experimenting with stimulants to try to find a balance under my doctors care. I have drastically improved since I was younger, but I find the pressure of learning in a traditional setting difficult. Has anyone found tools or tips helpful?
My only tip that has worked well is to be upfront to how much I can commit to socially with friends in order to get schoolwork done. They are always understanding, but I dealt with guilt as I previously felt I always had to be there for friends/family.
I wish you all the best as we are figuring out what works for us!
I can relate to what you guys are saying. When Michael was saying about the concentrating stuff I really really related. I have ADD which obviously can be a barrier when it comes to me trying to focus, especially on something I don’t want to do. For me, with school and everything I need to work on getting motivated to just do the the work I have to do even if it’s hard for me to be really interested in it. I’m learning what works for me and I guess this year I will do some trial and error to figure that out even more.
Ahhh, I think I get so jealous when I hear about everyone going to or startng school for the first time.. I graduated in 2013 so it brings up all old memories. You are going to have such a great time. It may seem like its overwhelming at times but it does become manageable once you work your way into a routine.
For me, college was all about prioritizing and breaking things down (school work) so that you have enough time to complete everything and still have time to chill. Having some time to just relax is always key because the stress can find its way to you really easily, especially if you’re involved in a lot of things.
With school coming back and all, I’m thinking of taking some classes and getting back into the groove of things. Everyday is a learning experience and its never too late to learn. Good luck!
I’m actually getting nervous/excited. I just got the accommodations that I applied for, which is awesome. I’m ready for something new and to move my life forward. Because there is a lot going on in my life (especially in the last week) I think it will be good for me to try to focus on something that is productive and positive.
That’s great Sam. Putting my energy into something good when times are tough is always the best for me. This week has been a hard one for me too, but I think with school coming up it will be a good distraction.