5 Tips on How to Survive College as an Anxious Person

By Grace DeBoer

As someone who has been diagnosed with generalized anxiety order, I know a few things about how to deal with anxiety-inducing triggers. One common trigger is the experience of a big change such as going off to college and being away from the comfort of home and familiar faces and traditions. I've compiled 5 ways to deal with this change that you can start implementing today.

1. Get outside of your comfort zone. You'll be surprised about the many different clubs and organizations you are able to join at your college. It's always a good idea to attend the involvement fairs at the beginning of the year for your school. Even if you aren’t sure what you want to do with life yet, see what sparks your interest. Loved playing volleyball in high school? Try out for your school's club team! Want to pursue a degree in business? See what your school has to offer for professional fraternities or internship programs. It can be scary approaching people who seem to have everything already figured out, but you have to believe people want to get to know you, and that you are welcome in organizations like these. Don’t let the fear of rejection stop you from stepping outside your comfort zone.

What the involvement fair typically looks likes at my school.

2. Get organized. Balancing a social life, academics, and other involvement can get overwhelming very quickly. Knowing how to get organized will help keep you calm, even on the busiest days of your schedule. Using apps such as Reminders app can help. You can input the date and time of everything from each of your professor’s syllabi, and the app sends a reminder for each due date before it arrives. You might prefer to use spreadsheets and master lists to stay organized. Others love to use apps like google calendar to stay on top of everything, from assignments to social events with friends. Many people still love to write things down using a small planner and a dry-erase calendar to visually see what needs to be done sans technology. Find what works for you and stick with it.

How one of my close friends plans out her daily schedule.

3. Get in touch with your support system. It can be intimidating to create a new social circle for yourself, but everyone is nervous about making friends, so it's worth saying hello to your neighbors and the person sitting next to you in class – they might be the person you needed to meet. Stay in touch with your support group from home as well – a phone call with a close friend can cheer you both up. Zoom is a great tool to stay in touch with friends or a therapist. Don't forget that on-campus counselors are also available for in-person sessions. There are other options as well, such as online counseling from apps such as BetterHelp. Let the people in your support system know if you’re feeling anxious about something, and always ask for help when you need it – there is no shame in that.

My support system of my best friends from college and home.

4. Get comfortable making mistakes. The fear of “messing up” is real, especially in such an intimidating and sometimes uncomfortable space like college. As you push yourself to try new things and to step outside your comfort zone, also allow yourself to make mistakes. If you joined a club or team you thought you’d love, but actually hate – it’s okay to admit it wasn’t right for you and to try again somewhere else. If you miss a class, forget an assignment, etc. it is not the end of the world. If you find someone you think is going to be your best friend, but they actually do you more harm than good, you have no obligation to keep them in your life. Allow yourself to make mistakes and not worry about avoiding them when you’re navigating this new environment, learn from everything instead.

There aren't any "wrong ways" when finding your path in college.

5. Get centered and be present. It is hard to avoid constantly thinking about the future. Even before college, you were waiting just to get there. Now that you’re here, you’re stressed about all the what-ifs, and what’s next in the future. But the truth is that the future will still come, but the present will not last forever. Using websites and apps such as Headspace, to practice meditation and mindfulness can help you slow down and become more centered. You’re only here for four years, so really allow yourself to find peace to focus on the now – your anxiety isn’t allowed to take these priceless experiences away from you.

A friendly reminder.