{"id":1448,"date":"2020-02-18T11:36:22","date_gmt":"2020-02-18T16:36:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drquintal.com\/?p=1448"},"modified":"2020-03-18T12:06:03","modified_gmt":"2020-03-18T16:06:03","slug":"college-freshman-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drquintal.com\/college-freshman-anxiety\/","title":{"rendered":"Managing & Overcoming Anxiety As A College Freshman"},"content":{"rendered":"

Leaving home for the first time can be stressful.<\/h2>\n

Add the stress of going to classes, doing homework, meeting new friends, and building new relationships, and it\u2019s easy to understand why college freshmen are often so anxious.<\/p>\n

Around 41.6% of all college students self-report feeling intense feelings of anxiety<\/a>, and these feelings are often the most intense during the first year of school.<\/p>\n

The good news is that anxiety is a treatable condition<\/a>.<\/p>\n

However, in this blog we\u2019ll be exploring a few steps you can take to manage and overcome anxiety before or during professional treatment.<\/p>\n

1. Remember That It\u2019s Normal To Feel Some Anxiety When You Go To College<\/h3>\n

Going to college is probably the biggest change you\u2019ve experienced in your entire life until this point.<\/p>\n

While you used to live in a familiar environment, have a structured life, and oversight from parents and teachers, college forces you into a much different world \u2013 one that\u2019s full of new experiences, and new challenges.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s normal to feel anxious about new experiences like going to college.<\/h4>\n

We all need to leave our comfort zones and grow at some point and this is a common cause of anxiety. What\u2019s important is how you react to this anxiety. You can push through it and continue your journey, or shrink back and allow it to dominate your life.<\/p>\n

If you struggle with figuring out how to push through your anxiety or you aren’t sure how to react to it, a professional therapist can help you learn techniques. We recommend a free consultation<\/a> to evaluate your situation.<\/p>\n

2. Do Your Best To Meet New People & Make Connections<\/h3>\n

One of the reasons that freshmen feel so anxious at college is the lack of a support system. Chances are that you\u2019re moving away from most of your oldest friends and closest family members.<\/p>\n

Because of this, it\u2019s important to connect with your roommates, classmates, other residents in your hall, and people in clubs and associations you\u2019re interested in joining. The sooner you can meet new people, put yourself out there, and make new connections, the quicker you’ll have a new support system that’s near you.<\/p>\n

By building a new support system, you will have people to talk to when you\u2019re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or are having trouble managing your classes, personal life, work, and other such responsibilities.<\/p>\n

3. Take Care Of Your Physical Health \u2013 It Will Help With Your Mental Health, Too!<\/h3>\n

There is a tendency among college freshmen to begin engaging in unhealthy behaviors, such as staying up too late and not getting enough sleep, smoking and using tobacco, getting less exercise, using drugs or alcohol recreationally, and eating infrequently and poorly.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to remember that your mind and body are linked. It will be easier for you to overcome anxiety and other mental health issues if you are taking care of your body. Try to maintain good physical habits. Here are a few steps you can take.<\/p>\n