By Candace Hartsuyker

Think back to your first year of college. If you’re like us, you probably thought that there were a million things you could do successfully on your own. Then reality hit, and you realized college was a bit overwhelming. Whether you’re a freshman or a senior, know it’s never too late to make positive changes to your college experience. Here are some tips on tackling the most common college fears:

Fear #1: College is too big. You’re not sure how you’re going to find friends.
Solution: Say hello to one student in every class. See if you share any common interests. If a student doesn’t seem friendly, move on. In a class full of people, you’re bound to find someone you can talk to. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t make a friend during your first day of school. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to make friends elsewhere.

Fear #2: You miss your family and friends.
Solution: Call your loved ones and ask them how they’re doing. Occupy your time with learning a new skill or joining a club. Eventually your homesickness will subside and you’ll be home before you know it.   

Fear #3: College life is overwhelming and you will feel directionless and lost. You’ve lost your motivation.
Solution: Make a list of why you’re in college and the goals you want to achieve. Near the middle of my freshman year I felt depressed. I wondered what the point of college was. I even considered switching my major and then decided not to. Once I wrote down what I wanted to accomplish in college, I felt a lot better and ended up achieving many of my goals. Now in my second year I am doing well and really enjoying the college experience.

Fear #4: You’re not doing well on your assignments or exams. You’re stressed out by your classes.
Solution: Actually study. I have a terrible habit of not studying for classes that don’t interest me. Learn from me and study all your subjects a little bit each day, even if it’s only for five minutes at a time. That way, you’ll be less likely to freak out because you won’t have to cram or pull an all-nighter the day before a test.

Fear #5: You think you might fail a class.
Solution: Go to your professor’s office hours early in the semester and get help if you need it.  I took a rhetoric class my freshman year and wasn’t doing well on my essays. I figured that since English had always been a strong subject for me in high school I wouldn’t need help. My professor politely asked if I would stop by her office hours. I was a little embarrassed at first, but once I went to her office I was able to understand exactly what she wanted and score well on my essays.

Remember, college doesn’t have to be stressful. Keep these solutions in mind and you’ll do fine. Summer will be around the corner sooner than you think and you can look back knowing that you successfully tackled all your college fears.

Image Source