Starting college is onerous. Not only do you make the daring step towards newfound independence, but you are also thrown face-first into a novel and unfamiliar environment. Add a foreign country with different standards and norms into the mix, and the complexity of this transition only deepens.
To successfully tackle the challenges ahead, adaptability becomes a crucial skill. In this regard, I have developed two mechanisms to help me make sense of what is otherwise overwhelming and perplexing. On the one hand, Google Calendar has proven to be a genuine lifesaver. In university,schedules are considerably more erratic and unforeseeable since college lacks the uniformity of high school. One no longer startsclasses at 8 AM and finishes at 2 PM but starts at 9 AM on a Thursday and at 11 AM on Fridays, before which one may go to the gym in the morning or fit in some additional class readings before courses start. After class, people usually have lunch and then attend one of the many events that follow a weekly structure (e.g., club meetings) or do not follow one at all (e.g., spontaneous hangouts and academic talks). Google Calendar ensures one can keep track of this fluid schedule, providing structure to an otherwise erratic day. The visual layout of Google Calendar allows people to clearly see how their day would unfold, thus fostering more efficient time management.
On the other hand, healthy habits like meditation, walking around, or any grounding technique are equally vital in managing the emotional and mental challenges that come with this transition. While Google Calendar can provide external structure, grounding techniques offer an internal sense of balance and stability. College is confusing, tortuous, and unpredictable, so having the tools to regain composure is essential. The whirlwind of new experiences and pressures can easily lead to despondency, hence why grounding techniques – by helping people anchor themselves in the present – are crucial for maintaining emotional resilience and well-being.
Ultimately, navigating the complexities of college life requires an open-minded and multifaceted approach. One should develop a toolkit of strategies easily adaptable to specific needs and circumstances. This toolkit may include resources such as time management and mindfulness practices, but really it can include anything. Be creative; the world is your oyster!
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