<p>44%?!?!?!?!</p>
<p>Sorry if a thread like this has been made before, but I think it's wild how we pay so much money to go somewhere where so many people are depressed.</p>
<p>Any tips from people in college on how to stay content?</p>
<p>Look at the bright side. Hang with friends. Don't let things get u down easily. Although this is a bad part of the human condition I'll still say it...compare urself to others n see how lucky u truly are and how u really are well off. Everyone sets such high standards for themselves. Like whenever I get a really good gpa I'm happy for a lil and then wonder y I didn't get higher. You just have to step back and realize how well u r doing. Also make sure ur having fun. More people are happy than depressed so be one of the happy people! I also recommend being active. Join clubs and sports n such.</p>
<p>Keep Yourself Busy</p>
<p>smoke a lot of pot. start drinking. early.</p>
<p>seriously though, college is tough, but you gotta man up, go out there, follow your nose, and enjoy the experience, you're only here for four years, then you gotta go to the real world. or grad school</p>
<p>You have to find something you enjoy. For me, it's going to hockey games. I only missed 3 all season this year. They keep me sane, and give me a way to focus on something besides school. Screaming at the opposing team also releases some of that pent up energy.
That being said, I've really struggled this year. This fall I had a terrible roommate, bad enough that I dreaded coming back to my room everyday. There were family problems too. This semester started well. I have a new roommate, who at the beginning was great. But in the middle of February one of the girls I grew up with died VERY suddenly, and it sent me into a tailspin. Everyday since has been a struggle. Add on the stress of school, and it's been a nightmare. I've forced myself to do stuff I know I enjoy, like going to hockey games, having dinner with friends, even just taking a walk when I reach my breaking point, whether I really want to or not. Yes, my problem isn't necessarily the normal cause of college depression (although some of it is), but to help yourself you've got to find something you enjoy and make time for yourself. Has it completely worked for me this semester? No not quite, but I know I'm doing better than I would have been if I hadn't forced myself to do stuff.</p>
<p>Most people have unrealistic expectations. Only a tiny percent will actually get to live the whole Animal House lifestyle, hook up with lots of attractive partners, while managing to get a 4.0 GPA and getting into Yale Law. For most, some part of this childish fantasy is just not going to work.</p>
<p>Today I was down because I don't have a model-hot girlfriend. Yesterday it was that I didn't like how I did on my micro exam. All petty reasons to feel sorry for myself, and to think, 3 years ago I was in and out of mental institutions and jail as result of a crack habit. Honestly, would the circumstance matter? I'd invent some way to feel as if God was against me. Truth is, happiness is right there. And once you accept that, nobody can take it from you.</p>
<p>Excercise
Mind altering substances
Eating healthy
Being optimistic
Thearapy
Volunteering</p>
<p>There are a variety of activites both constructive and self-destructive that one could take part in to alleviate the stresses of college.</p>
<p>easiest way to stay happy is to go into college not expecting too much. I mean, the media hypes the whole drinking/partying/camaraderie thing WAY too much. If you get depressed easily, then be near people a lot. the easiest way to slip into severe depression is to stay locked up in your room. studying in groups is a really good idea.
also, stay busy. Get involved in activities. Don't just take the bare minimum of class, and be in your room at 12pm everyday. I made this mistake first and second quarter, and it will get lonely/boring fast. Try to get back up to your room at around dinner time. If you need to study, do it in the library. exercise too. another good way is to read (novels) a lot.</p>
<p>i cannot emphasize enough how easy it is to slip into depression by just living in your dorm room all day long. you'll feel lonely and lousy because when im in my room, i waste SOOO much time on youtube, CC (like right now), etc.</p>
<p>Keeping yourself busy with menial things will only hurt more, especcially if you are capable (smart enough) of doing much more interesting things. Filling you mind up with menial activities to cover up depression does not solve the problem. Try to engage yourself in progressive activities. Ask what your subconscience desires and fulfill it consciencely, you will find yourself allocating brainpower because you have too much to discover and too little brain to do it with.</p>
<p>Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse.
When you're chewing on life's gristle
Don't grumble, give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best...</p>
<pre><code>And...always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the light side of life...
</code></pre>
<p>If life seems jolly rotten
There's something you've forgotten
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing.
When you're feeling in the dumps
Don't be silly chumps
Just purse your lips and whistle - that's the thing.</p>
<pre><code>And...always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the light side of life...
</code></pre>
<p>For life is quite absurd
And death's the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow.
Forget about your sin - give the audience a grin
Enjoy it - it's your last chance anyhow.</p>
<pre><code>So always look on the bright side of death
Just before you draw your terminal breath
</code></pre>
<p>Life's a piece of ****
When you look at it
Life's a laugh and death's a joke, it's true.
You'll see it's all a show
Keep 'em laughing as you go
Just remember that the last laugh is on you.</p>
<pre><code>And always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the right side of life...
(Come on guys, cheer up!)
Always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the bright side of life...
(Worse things happen at sea, you know.)
Always look on the bright side of life...
(I mean - what have you got to lose?)
(You know, you come from nothing - you're going back to nothing.
What have you lost? Nothing!)
Always look on the right side of life...
</code></pre>
<p>All of the depression I've suffered at colleges has stemmed from problems with the females.</p>
<p>I recommend staying away from them.</p>
<p>^Spamalot is great, isn't it. :)</p>
<p>Get involved. Join a club... or five. Go out on a limb and talk to people. Make new friends and keep them close. Keep yourself heathly. Eat well, but don't forget dessert. Go out to the movies. Go bowling. Have fun, but don't go crazy. Watch your budget, but buy yourself something nice once in a while. Don't stress out and don't overthink life. It goes by quickly. Don't lock yourself in your room and study all the time, but keep up your grades. Go to the activities your campus offers. See a sport, go to the theatre. Get away from your computer and get into the swing of things. Smile!</p>
<p>Actually that's from Life of Brian.</p>
<p>
[quote]
All of the depression I've suffered at colleges has stemmed from problems with the females.</p>
<p>I recommend staying away from them.
[/quote]
hahahaha seconded</p>
<p>believe in ur potential...dream...achieve.</p>
<p>if you're depressed about something, draft a detailed plan on how you're going to change your situation. Makes me feel a little better.</p>
<p>Girls can make me sad. I like to get drunk w/the boys and then hit up a strip club when I'm having girl troubles.</p>
<p>That's one of the biggest reasons why I think it's crazy to pay a ton of money for an undergrad degree. Being a rising Junior, I know what First Year is like for over half of college students. It's not all parties and drinking and iPods and hanging out in coffee shops and all that. They're going through the same things I'm going through...but they're paying 10s of thousands of dollars for it. My depressed ass is only paying about 2.5k a year.</p>
<p>Drink, workout, party, keep up in classes, find a gf.</p>
<p>We can mope about all the stuff we don't have. there are a lot of things I wish I had i don't. but i also ahve so many things, so it's all relative.</p>
<p>one thing that helps is stop comparing yourself to other people. they might look happy but often times they're not.</p>