<p>I've always suffered from anxiety and depression, so my parents sent me up here a week early for the school's "getting acclimated" program, which has honestly helped me very much.
However, today was the first day of classes, and I quickly realized how unprepared I was. The workload is a lot heavier than I thought it would be, and there are so many things I have to buy and do that it's incredibly overwhelming. Furthermore, I was never taught how to manage money, and I keep having to communicate with my family for money, (who I miss very much.)
Plus, I've always loved art, but I'm not sure how much I'll enjoy my two art classes here, and I'm not sure if it's because of my depression or if I'm really not cut out for college.
I know it's the first day, and I don't feel at all that lonely (I've had little trouble making friends,) but I'm having a hard time finding a support system and am so worried ill be miserable in my classes or not have any free time, or even that I won't be able to eat with my anxious stomach and money issues.
Is this really just first day jitters? Does it get better? I miss my parents so much, I can't wait until the next break.</p>
<p>It’s very common for students to feel this way in the beginning of school (it can be a bit of drastic change of environment for many people), and I actually think it’s great that you’re identifying many potential challenges now, rather than later when it can be harder to recover. I’ve known many students who didn’t realize that the coursework was so difficult until they got their first test back or got their first semester’s grades, and it can difficult to come back from that. I’ve also known many students who didn’t realize how bad they were at managing their money or that they really needed a support system, until much later when they had gotten into serious situations. I’m not trying to discourage you! It’s actually fantastic that you’re realizing this now, when there are many, many resources that you can find to help you along.</p>
<p>I would recommend that you try contacting any counseling services that your school provides, especially if you’ve struggled with these problems before. Many students seek help or support when they first go to college, and they may be able to provide assistance with the transition or advice for resources or options at your particular school. This service is often free for students (or may be covered under the school’s health insurance program) so I highly suggest you seek them out, as a resource or a support system.</p>
<p>With regards to the coursework, college can be a very big leap in the amount or the type of work that is expected. I would recommend that you just stay on top of it. Make sure you know the deadlines of exams or papers (marking these down on a calendar can help), and make sure you are steadily working towards them, rather than waiting until the last minute. If you have to spend some extra time in the library, spend it. You’ll figure out a system (the best way for you to study, how much work you need to put in for different courses, and other tricks that will help you along the way), but while you’re still figuring that out, you might need to put a little extra effort to keep your grades up. That’s very okay. Everyone has to go through it. If you’re taking a lot of units or if you can manage to lower your units and still graduate on time or remain a full time student, consider dropping a class (if you can do so without a W). This does not by any means indicate failure or not being “cut out for college.” It just means that you’re aware of your capabilities and would like to take things slow as you’re getting settled in college and figuring out all of these other aspects of your time there.</p>
<p>Also, keep in mind what academic supports your school has. Many offer free tutoring or workshops for commonly taken classes, and you may be able to hire tutors through the department, if you need one. Your professors and TAs are also often the best resources for getting help in your classes, so make sure you go to their office hours as needed. If you’re classes have discussion sections, definitely attend them, as they can often be great times to get additional help on the homework or material. It’s often allowed for you to attend more than one, as well, which you can do if you’d like the extra exposure. Many are also willing to set up an appointment if you can’t make their office hours to ask a question about the course material. It’s good that you’re figuring out that the workload is higher than you expected now–you have plenty of time to seek out resources or extra help, or to budget your time accordingly.</p>
<p>With regards to finances, many college students don’t have experience managing their own finances when they first go to college (myself included). This is a great time to learn how to, and there are many resources available. See if your school has any resources to help you with budgeting or managing your own finances (my career services center, for instance, had talks about taxes, negotiating salaries, credit reports, navigating leases and handling landlords, etc). Even if you don’t need that right now, it’s something to keep in mind during future years. If you’re responsible for your own expenses, try coming up with a budget and sticking to it (there are also resources online to help you out with this). After a few months, you’ll figure out what works for you and what doesn’t. Being conscious of your spending habits and money is often the first step, so you’re well on your way.</p>
<p>Your school might also have rec or extension classes that involve art or there may be a club involving art. That might be a great way to keep up with your interest in art in a low pressure environment. Consider seeking out support from a counselor or your RA, who may be able to direct you towards additional resources, give suggestions, or just reassure you that MANY students are going through the exact same things as you are.</p>
<p>You have a lot of time to adjust to college, and this is often students’ first reactions to a big change like this. Seek out resources at your school, and just start chipping away at the things you need to (get started on your reading, start getting things you need to buy, etc). Make sure your doing some things that’ll help you let off some steam (like joining an art club or taking a rec class, going out to dinner or having a movie night with friends, etc), and be secure that you’re not alone. It’s not so much that your responsibilities decrease, but you get much better at handling them through experience and effort.</p>