Attending a college or university comes with many new challenges. Making new friends is not always easy. Maybe you're having trouble finding some personal time to be by yourself. Or, because life as a college student is not easy, you truly feel alone.
Imagine a tightrope. On one side, you have the habit of doing many extracurriculars, homework, and spending so much time with friends that you never have enough time to relax. On the other side, there’s the habit of locking yourself in your dorm and secluding yourself from others. Leaning too far to either side can negatively affect your mental health.
I mention the tightrope because I believe a significant skill to have in college is balancing your schedule personally and socially. I will not spend this time lecturing you on how I balance my schedule because we are not the same person, and my tactics may not work for you. Only you know what works for you. I will tell you that it is okay to be alone.
Some people believe that if you're attending college, you should go out every night and party until the sun rises. But, if you're the type of person that wants to stay in your room and enjoy the quiet time, that's perfectly fine. Though if you like to go out and enjoy the college experience, there's nothing wrong with that. Whatever you're into, please find time to focus on yourself and your mental health.
You deserve it. You deserve time to relax. It may be hard to put yourself before others, but you need alone time. But, after you take your alone time, don't be afraid to get out there and see what this world has to offer. There are some fantastic people and places right at your fingertips that are waiting for you.
If you ever fall off the tightrope and feel truly alone, know that many people are here for you and want to see you succeed. In addition, resources such as the counseling center are always available to help you get back to one hundred percent.
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