Starting college can be very overwhelming for many students. Here are a few tips and tricks to help calm your nerves about balancing it all!
First, and perhaps most importantly, start using a planner or calendar if you aren’t already. I recommend Google Calendar, your phone’s default calendar app or a physical notebook. Write down anything you have going on: class times and locations, assignment due dates, club meetings and hangouts with friends. Coming from the most type B person you’ll ever meet, utilizing a calendar is a game-changer in college.
Second, determine a routine that works for you. Whether you work best with a strict, perfectly laid-out schedule or a more easygoing, flexible plan, having some semblance of a regimen will foster consistency and comfort. Keep in mind that each semester will look different from the last due to your ever-changing class schedules, so be prepared to adapt your routine.
A piece of advice for crafting this routine, which I wish I had known before starting college, is to find your class locations before the semester begins. While Clemson University’s campus isn’t quite as big as other universities, it’s still good to have some idea of how long it takes you to transition between classes.
One reassuring thing is that as you progress through your collegiate career, you’ll find that many of your classes end up in just one or two buildings. Last semester, three of my four classes were in Daniel Hall, and the fourth was in nearby Brackett Hall.
Third, make sure you’re taking care of yourself: get enough sleep, eat balanced meals, exercise regularly and reserve time for self-care so you can really be at the top of your game academically and socially. A huge part of this tip is learning when to say “no” — truly balancing the different facets of college life means learning when to set aside time for yourself. Don’t burn out trying to do it all; whether it’s going for a walk on the Dikes, treating yourself to ice cream from Spill the Beans or having a night in with a good book or movie, find some way to recharge your battery.
Fourth, don’t be afraid to ask for help! Professors, older students, parents, siblings and friends are all here to help you acclimate to your new environment — you aren’t expected to know how to do everything right off the bat.
Finding the perfect balance between academics, extracurriculars and social activities is pretty much impossible. Try not to stress too much, though, and find comfort in the fact that nearly everyone else feels overwhelmed, too. That’s the beauty of college — it’s all about figuring out who you are as a person and what you want out of life.
