It’s supposed to be fun, isn’t it? Learning and hanging out with friends. That little nirvana between high school and the real world. Truth is that college is stressful. But why?
The Academic Pressure Is Real
Let’s be honest. High school gave us this idea that college would be hard, but nobody quite prepares you for the reality. The classes are intense. Professors hand out 20-page readings like they’re light snacks. Papers, projects, exams—all at the same time. You miss one assignment and suddenly you’re playing catch-up for the next three weeks.
And then there’s the pressure. You might be here on a scholarship that depends on your GPA. Or maybe you’re just trying not to disappoint your parents (or yourself). Either way, you start to feel like every grade is a make-it-or-break-it situation. No wonder your brain feels like it’s constantly buffering.x
Money, Money, Money
Let’s talk dollars for a sec. College is expensive. And I’m not just talking about tuition. There’s housing, books (why are they so expensive?!), food, gas, parking passes, coffee to stay awake for those all-nighters… the list goes on. A lot of students work part-time (or even full-time) while juggling school, and that’s exhausting.
Even if your parents are helping or you have financial aid, money stress sneaks in. Worrying about student loans? Yup. Wondering if you can afford rent next month? Yup. Feeling bad for skipping dinner with friends because you’re broke? Oh yeah. It adds up.
Time Management (Or Lack Thereof)
In high school, your schedule is basically handed to you. Wake up, go to class, practice after school, dinner, homework, sleep. Rinse and repeat.
College is… different. You’re the one who has to figure it all out. Your classes are spread all over the place. You might have a shift at work between classes, a group project meeting at 7 PM, and your laundry’s been sitting in the basket for a week. Oh, and did you call your mom back? Or pay the electric bill? Or sleep? Oops.
Trying to juggle all of that—and keep a social life? Yeah. Not easy.
Social Pressure Hits Hard
College can feel like a second high school in some ways, especially socially. There’s this pressure to find your people. To fit in. To go out when everyone’s going out (even if you’re exhausted). To join clubs. To network. To maybe even find “The One.”
And if you’re shy, introverted, or just not into the party scene, it can feel like you’re doing it wrong. That “fear of missing out” (aka FOMO) is real, and it can make you question yourself. Combine that with roommates, long-distance friendships/relationships, and figuring out who you are, and your social life becomes another thing on your to-do list.
What Happens After This? (Future Uncertainty)
Okay, so you’re working your butt off in school. But for what? You know you’re supposed to pick a career, land a great job, and live happily ever after. But if you’re like most students, the future feels super murky.
What if you picked the wrong major? What if you can’t get a job after graduation? What if you graduate with a mountain of debt and no plan? Welcome to the existential dread of your early 20s. It’s normal, but man, it’s heavy.
So, What Can You Do About It? (Real Tips That Actually Help)
Now that we’ve laid all that out (sorry if that was a little bleak), let’s talk about what you can actually do to make things a little easier on yourself. Because it’s not impossible. You’re not doomed. There are ways to feel better.
1. Time Management Isn’t Just a Buzzword
You’ve probably heard a million times that you need to “manage your time better.” But no one really explains how. So here’s the deal: start using a planner or your phone’s calendar. Seriously. Write everything down—classes, due dates, work shifts, friend hangouts, gym time, all of it.
When it’s on paper (or screen), it’s easier to see where your time’s going. You’ll probably notice you do have time to chill… you’re just not scheduling it in yet.
And don’t be afraid to say no. You don’t have to do everything. If you’re running on empty, skip that study group or Netflix binge with your roommate. Protect your time like it’s your job.
2. Do Stuff Just Because You Like It
Not because it’ll look good on a resume. Not because it’ll make you friends. Just because it makes you happy.
Love playing intramural soccer? Join a team. Like to paint or draw? Carve out time for it. Crochet, run, bake, read cheesy romance novels—whatever brings you joy and makes you forget about midterms for a bit.
It doesn’t have to be “productive.” It just needs to fill your cup.
3. Be Nice to Yourself (Seriously)
We are so hard on ourselves. Especially with social media constantly throwing perfect lives in our faces. So first things first—put the phone down sometimes. Especially before bed. Give your brain a break from the scrolling.
Then, practice cutting yourself some slack. If you bomb a quiz, miss a deadline, or eat ice cream for dinner, it’s okay. It doesn’t mean you suck at life. It means you’re human.
If you have no clue how to be kinder to yourself (we get it, it’s weird at first), talking to a therapist can help. People like Lindsey and Ben at Evolve Counseling are pros at this. They can help you figure out how to get that positive self-talk going, even if you’re starting from zero.
4. Write Stuff Down (It Actually Works)
Journaling sounds like something your grandma does, but hear me out. Getting your thoughts out of your head and onto paper (or your phone) can work wonders.
Feeling stuck? Anxious? Annoyed? Write it down. You don’t have to show anyone. You don’t have to make sense. Just brain-dump everything. Later on, you can look back and see patterns, progress, or even laugh at stuff that felt huge at the time.
Think of it like writing a rough draft of your life, then slowly editing it as you figure things out.
5. Move Your Body (Your Brain Will Thank You)
Exercise isn’t just about getting fit. Moving your body helps your brain chill out. If you’re stuck on an essay or can’t focus in class, go for a walk. Hit the gym. Dance around your room to your favorite playlist. Even five minutes can shake things up.
Exercise releases endorphins (aka happy chemicals), and it can clear your head like nothing else. Plus, bonus points if you get some fresh air while you’re at it.
6. Set Small Goals (Not Just Big Dreams)
Dreaming big is great, but you need small wins along the way. That’s where SMART goals come in—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
For example: “Finish half of my essay by 4 PM” is way better than “Write this whole paper sometime this week.” Keep them small, keep them doable, and celebrate when you hit them. Progress is progress, no matter how tiny.
And if you don’t hit a goal? Tweak it. No shame in adjusting.
7. Learn How You Relax
Relaxing doesn’t mean lying on your bed staring at the ceiling (unless you’re into that). It can be active, like coloring, gardening, or building LEGO sets. It can be passive, like meditating or listening to music.
If you can nap, awesome. If not, try breathing exercises to calm down your racing mind. And for the love of everything, ditch your screens while you’re trying to unwind. Your brain needs that quiet time.
Oh, and sleep. Sleep! Prioritize it. All-nighters are not badges of honor. Well-rested brains work way better.
8. Be Careful With Alcohol (It’s Not a Fix)
College and drinking seem to go hand in hand. But be careful. Alcohol doesn’t fix stress—it just numbs it for a minute. And then it makes everything worse. Drinking to cope can lead you down a tough road, and you don’t want to go there.
If you’re feeling stuck in that cycle, it’s time to talk to someone. Evolve Counseling can help, or check in with your school’s counseling center. You are not alone in this.
9. Find Your People (And Lean On Them)
Trying to do college solo is like trying to carry a couch by yourself—it’s possible but miserable. You need friends. You need study buddies. You need people to text when you’re having a meltdown.
If you haven’t found “your people” yet, don’t panic. Join a club, go to a meetup, say hi to the person next to you in class. It’s awkward at first, but everyone’s looking for connection.
And if you feel alone or like you’re slipping into something darker than stress, reach out. Counselors, friends, professors—someone will help you. Don’t wait until you’re drowning to grab a life preserver.
Need a Little Extra Help?
College is hard. But you don’t have to figure it out alone.
If you’re in Fort Collins (or anywhere in Colorado), Lindsey Phillips and Ben Smith at Evolve Counseling Services are amazing at helping students deal with all of this. They’ve worked with tons of people who feel overwhelmed, anxious, depressed—you name it. And they do it with zero judgment and lots of compassion.
Whether you need help managing stress, finding balance, or just someone to talk to who gets it, they’re there. Plus, they keep things down-to-earth and relatable
