Miya Dunn  

Starting college has been one of the biggest transitions in my life. Everyone always talks about how exciting it is to meet new people, live on your own, and finally have freedom, but not enough people talk about how stressful and overwhelming it can actually be. As a first-year student, I’ve realized that taking care of my mental health is just as important as keeping up with my classes, as well as trying to go to events that are happening on campus. Adjusting to a new environment, new responsibilities, and being away from home can be a lot to handle at once.  

One of the hardest parts for me was figuring out how to balance everything. In high school, I had teachers reminding me about assignments and parents keeping me on schedule, but in college, everything is up to you. I knew that it was going to be like that, but I didn’t expect so much pressure. It’s easy to fall behind or feel lost, especially when you’re still trying to get used to the new system. I’ve had times when I felt like I wasn’t doing enough, even when I was working hard. That kind of pressure can really mess with your confidence and cause stress and anxiety, especially when finals are approaching. I’ve learned that it’s okay to ask for help from professors, tutors, or even classmates, because no one can do everything alone.  

Another big challenge is the emotional side of things. Even though college is full of people, it can still feel lonely sometimes. I miss my family, my old friends, and just the comfort of being home. It takes time to find your group and feel like you belong somewhere new. Although I have yet to find my group to be around, I do have a couple of friends who I hang out with. At first, I tried to act like everything was fine, but I eventually realized that bottling up my feelings only made things worse. What helped was being honest with myself and opening up to others who were going through similar experiences. I thought that I was the only one feeling like this and going through this until I decided to open up how things were going and seeing how I wasn’t alone. Almost every freshman I’ve talked to has said they’ve felt homesick or stressed at some point, so it made me feel less alone.  

Taking care of myself physically has also made a big difference for my mental health. When I first began college, my sleeping schedule was good. I’d wake up at 9:30 every morning, but over time, I began staying up much too late, often until 6 a.m. finishing up assignments, feeling exhausted, and knowing I had to get up soon for class. I didn’t realize how much those habits were affecting my mood. Now I try to eat better, drink more water, and get enough sleep when I can. Even small things like going for a walk or listening to music help me clear my mind. It’s easy to forget how connected our body and mind are, but when one is off balance, the other usually follows. 

One thing I’ve learned is that there’s no shame in getting help when you need it. A lot of schools offer counseling services or wellness programs, but not everyone uses them because they’re afraid of what others might think. I used to feel that way too, but I’ve learned that talking to someone doesn’t make you weak; it actually shows strength and maturity. College can be a stressful time, and sometimes it really helps to talk things out with a professional or even just a trusted friend. The Counseling and Psychological Services center here at UNCG, for example, offers a range of services for our community, like individual counseling, groups and support spaces, workshops, and psychiatric care, just to name a few.

I’ve also started to pay more attention to my mindset. I try to remind myself that it’s okay not to have everything figured out right now. I’m learning to focus on progress instead of perfection. Practicing gratitude, journaling, and taking a few minutes to breathe when I feel overwhelmed have all helped me stay grounded. It’s not always easy, but every time I take care of my mental health, I notice a difference in how I handle challenges. 

Being a first-year college student comes with a lot of pressure, but it also gives you time to grow and learn about yourself. I’m still figuring things out, but I’ve realized that taking care of my mental health is part of that growth. It’s not just about surviving the semester, it’s about learning how to thrive in a new chapter of life. College isn’t always perfect, but learning how to manage stress, set boundaries, and ask for support are lessons that will help me far beyond the classroom. 

In the end, I’ve learned that mental health is something everyone struggles with at some point, and that’s okay. What matters most is taking small steps to care for yourself and not being afraid to reach out when things get tough. Being a first-year student has taught me that asking for help isn’t weakness, it’s part of growing up and learning to take care of yourself in every way.