10 Feelings We All Have In College

“I’m not good enough to be here.”

You step onto campus for the first time of the school year, or maybe it’s the second, third, or fourth time for a new school year, and the same feelings hit you: “I am not as _______ as everyone else.” It’s normal.

We all come into college with these preconceived notions. We hear from loved ones what college is like, and we’re either intrigued or dissuaded. Hopefully this article will give you some reassurance.

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More than likely, you’re at a school where everyone was their valedictorian, salutatorian, president of five clubs, and in every AP/ IB/ honors class offered in high school. Now you’re on campus and the things you listed on your application that made you a top applicant are commonplace. Maybe you came from a community college and you haven’t come to terms with the fact that you have actually gotten into your dream school, or a university,  or you’re older than most people around you. No matter the case, it’s important to remember, literally everyone around you is feeling overwhelmed and under-qualified to be in college.

Stress of being in a new environment and attending college can manifest itself in many forms: stress about appearance, lack of motivation about grades, feeling socially pressured to adapt to certain behaviors, challenging one’s identity, and profound homesickness. Here are 10 things to remember as you settle into college life:

1)  Being homesick is absolutely normal, no matter what age or year you are in school.

2)  You deserve to be at your college/university because you got in! That means that when they looked at your application, they felt you were just as qualified as the others who were there with you!

3)  It is okay to question all that you know and for you to positively change. As long as the change that is happening is allowing you to be more comfortable with yourself.

4)  If you don’t like your college, transferring is always an option.

5)  A 4.0 in college is not impossible, but it can be difficult. Remember that as long as you are doing your best, you are doing well! Don’t be so difficult on yourself.

6)  Your health should come before any obligation. Do not sacrifice anything for your physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional wellbeing.

7)  Seeking help does not make you abnormal. It makes you smart! You pay for those resources, so use them.

8)  It is actually okay to not have your entire life planned out. College should be a time of exploring oneself. On average, college students change their major three times during their college career.

9)  You don’t have to be an extrovert to be liked and make friends. Find friends who have common interests through clubs, organizations, popular meeting spots, events in housing and special interest groups on campus.

10) Sometimes you do need to take it easy! Maybe, you need to take 12 units this semester instead of 16 because you are feeling overwhelmed, and there’s nothing wrong with that. College is based on your own timeline.

And last but not least, NEVER compare your journey to anyone else’s. Only you can live your life, and you have to make the decision that is best for you. You can only be you, and that’s more than enough.