Stressing out over assignments and exams drove me to isolate myself and not ask for help. If I could do it over, I would tell myself to ask for help and collaborate with others as much as possible to feel less alone and supported during those anxious college years.

My advice is to take note and find what makes you feel more centered, and combine it with mental health resources that are available to you to maximize your wellness when you feel off-balanced. once you are centered, the good academic performance is likely to follow.

College was a terrifying new adjustment, but it was also the place that gave me opportunities to better my mental health. Coming from an environment where discussions of seeking professional help were frowned upon, taking advantage of on campus counseling resources opened up new avenues for me and my self-advocacy.

It may seem like everyone knows exactly what they’re doing in college, but the reality is, no one does. Once you start accepting the fact that you do not have to have anything figured out, the burden you’re carrying gets lighter.

College is what you make of it…there is no cookie cutter experience. Do things in a way that makes sense to you and if someone thinks you won’t succeed, prove them wrong.