Honestly, college is pretty rough sometimes. Not only do you have to balance understanding your classes, eating actual meals, and getting the proper amount of sleep (which combined is nearly impossible), you also have to throw in your social life.
Walking into a new place that you've never been before and basically having to live there for about 9 months is something we probably aren't used to. It's a new culture of people and a completely different kind of ballgame compared to high school. It's taking a big step forward towards your future and there's so much going on. Is it even possible to have both academics and a social life?
The answer is YES.
However, you may need to change up some bad habits and work on your time management. A great way to start is just having a specific time to wake up, eat, and when you want to go to bed. Don't aim too high and expect to wake up at 6 a.m. and sleep at 9:00 p.m. unless you're a natural early bird; be realistic. Think about your natural habits and when you may need to wake up before class to give yourself a comfortable amount of time to get ready, when to fit in your mealtimes, and what a good time is to sleep that can give you enough time to finish your work.
If you're falling behind in a class or don't understand the material, all you have to do is ask. Professors and T.A.'s have office hours for you to visit for a reason. (A small tip is befriending them. You never need to know when you may need that little boost in your grades). It may be difficult if you're shy, so don't be afraid to bring a friend with you. Try not to study in your dorm or at home, go to the library. Having a desk so close to your bed is almost too tempting, and you may give in to spending the next couple hours binging a season of your favorite show on Netflix instead of studying for your next midterm.
But don't forget to treat yourself every now and then. If you only study and never do anything fun, you won't enjoy yourself anymore. You should know yourself the best, so make the calls in your best judgement.
After you've adjusted yourself to these habits, here comes the social life. Sometimes it's really hard to make friends in college because there's just so many different people, so many chances to be involved, but you don't even know where to begin. Think about your interests, your plans for the future, and maybe even your culture. Look on your school website for a list of your school's organizations. Maybe you want to join a community service sorority, maybe you want to join a business fraternity, maybe you just want to join a cultural club. Do it! Visit their tabling sessions, email the president for more information. Put yourself out there a little more.
These are clubs, not classes. There's no passing or failing, they're made purely to meet others who share similar interests. If you aren't interested, try something else. The purpose of college isn't just for good grades. It's an opportunity to make connections with people and grow through your experiences.
Don't be afraid to try something new, because there's no better place than college to do it. Plus, college is massive with thousands of students. Chances are, if you feel embarrassed about an encounter, you're never even gonna see them again if you don't share contact information. So don't sweat it.
College really is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Enjoy yourself!
