Tips for Thriving on Campus from an Anxious College Student

Megan Gizinski | Writer

Whether it’s your first year, or you’re a seasoned student, college can be daunting. Not only can academics cause stress, but you have to navigate through halls and classrooms of unfamiliar faces. It can be a lot.

While I don’t have all the answers, here are a few useful tips I’ve learned for navigating campus life.

You’re going to find yourself in new social situations, and…oh no, here come the anxious sweats. But don’t fret. Bring a spare deodorant and duck into the nearest bathroom to avoid any possible pit perspiration. While perfume or cologne can also work, it’s less discrete and can announce itself to a room.

It’s time for class, and the person you chatted with last week says hi. You attempt to reply, and, ohmygod- what’s their name?! Breathe. A playful “heyyy” usually gets the job done. Then, check your class roster, or listen for their name during attendance. When you leave, hit them with a little, “Bye, TheirName!” Wow, so confident.

Lastly, the most important thing I can advise is to make sure you eat throughout the day. Giving your body nutrients will make stressful situations easier to handle. To avoid shelling out your life savings for a bag of pretzels at a vending machine, pack a lunch. If you can’t, keep a few emergency dollars on you. Leave campus and grab a 4 for $4 at Wendy’s or make a pit stop at a local cafe. Bye, bye brain fog.