In some ways, this shift from high school to college can be incredibly empowering and fun, but in other ways it can be difficult. Below are some of the most common reasons incoming students seek Wellness Coaching, followed by a few tips to help you navigate those situations, if you find yourself experiencing them too.
- Meeting new people: If you’re moving from out of town, or even if you’ve lived in Columbus your whole life, you likely won’t have all of your high school friends with you at Ohio State. The good news is that everyone else is in the same boat, so they too are looking for new friends! One way to meet new people is by joining a Student Organization, and an easy way to find an organization that interests you is by searching the directory at this link, using topics that interest you. Ohio State is a massive place and can be overwhelming, but this large community is made up of a bunch of little communities, which can make campus feel smaller once you find yours.
Be patient with yourself, as it takes time to find friends you really connect with. Based on social media, it may seem like your high school friends have quickly adjusted to college and are having the time of their life, but we all know that social media typically only shows peoples’ highlights. So, do your best not to compare your adjustment to college with others’.
- Prioritizing your time: The study skills you used in high school may no longer work for you in college, and that’s okay. It will take some experimenting to figure out what strategies work for you, to help you focus and better manage your time. Something that helps a lot of people is to create a digital or physical schedule of your typical week, including the absolute necessities like classes, meetings, and work. Once you fill this in, you’ll be able to see where you have free time, and then decide which of those times you would like to devote to schoolwork. It’s best to do schoolwork when you’re most productive, so if the early morning is when you’re most focused, try to block off time in the morning each day so that you can work at that time.
- Managing stress: Balancing your schoolwork with all of the other big transitions happening right now can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be! There are so many things you can do to better manage your stress and help you navigate challenges with more grace. Prioritizing your time, as mentioned above, is actually an effective way to prevent stress, because when you manage your time more efficiently, you will procrastinate less, and in turn be less stressed when due dates are approaching.
There are plenty of other ways to better manage stress, such as meditation, physical exercise, talking with someone you trust, spending time in nature, and limiting caffeine, just to name a few. We even have our very own Stress Management and Resiliency Training (SMART) Lab on campus, where you can learn and practice using effective breathing techniques that will help reduce stress.
All in all, know that you are not alone in this transition to college. There are plenty of campus resources available to help you turn your college experience into an incredible time. You’re here to study, but you’re also here to enjoy yourself!
If you ever need help navigating college, you can always schedule an appointment with a Wellness Coach, who is another student who will help you set some goals and create a more balanced life for yourself.
Welcome to Ohio State! We’re glad you’re here.
- Joe Doherty