Managing your Anxiety When Heading off to College

Going off to college is a major milestone for young adults, and a time characterized by significant change. Sometimes, this change is accompanied by anxiety. Learning how to safely cope with anxiety is a critical skill for adolescents as they adapt to the many changes that come with college life. In this blog post, we will cover some of the factors contributing to anxiety among college students, and explore a few ways to manage that anxiety.

Why is anxiety increasingly common among college students?

Knowing that anxiety is common among college students can be comforting for those experiencing it. Recent studies have shown that rates of anxiety are even higher for students in their initial transition to college, with psychological distress rising during the first semester and remaining consistent throughout the second semester. Some of the factors that contribute to this distress include lack of sleep, loneliness, or academic-related stress. Below are just a few tips tips for coping with anxiety throughout the school year: 

• • Find resources on campus. Many colleges offer mental health resources to support students in their transition to college life. Resources like counseling services or peer support groups can help an individual cope with anxiety and stress in a healthy way. 
  • Take small steps, and don’t avoid situations that make you uncomfortable. While it can be easy to avoid stressors by staying cooped up in a dorm room, this will only increase anxiety over time. Taking small steps to approach anxiety-provoking situations is one way to help mitigate some of the feelings of distress — it may even lead to forming new connections or discovering exciting hobbies.
  • Keep in touch with loved ones. Regularly speaking to parents, family members, or friends from back home is a great way to combat the newfound stress of being a college student. Stress and anxiety can sometimes lead to loneliness and depression, too, and talking to family members may help you cope with some of these feelings as you navigate the new landscape of college. 
  • Identify your triggers. Knowing what triggers your anxiety can make it more manageable. Lifestyle choices such as consuming alcohol or caffeine, not getting enough sleep, or not eating a proper diet can cause you to feel more anxious. Moving away to college alone brings a number of triggers such as uncertainty around the future, difficulty making new friends, or a heavy course load. Identifying these triggers can help you tackle or avoid them.
  • Practice Self Care. Everyone can benefit from activities that promote mental and physical wellness. Self care looks different for everyone, but some ways to practice self care include regular exercise, getting enough sleep, or journaling.

New Perspective Counseling is Here to Help

Anxiety affects everyone differently, and the most effective treatment requires an approach that is tailored to your unique needs and goals. Anxiety therapy can help you uncover thoughts and issues that are contributing to your anxiety and help you identify distressing symptoms that may be keeping you stuck. By taking the time to understand all the ways anxiety is affecting your life—and how it originated—you can foster greater calm and confidence. Learn more about Anxiety and how to cope by visiting our website.