How To Respond to the Pressure of College

College isn’t easy, but you can find your way around it by understanding how to look after yourself and manage your time.

Whatever you do, don’t compare yourself to others, as what works for them may not work for you.

It’s important that college helps you learn how to manage your own finances and stay healthy. You don’t have to do everything all at once; it’s more important that you find a balance that suits you best. 

It can be helpful to form a support network of friends and professional contacts who can also help provide expertise, perspective, and advice as needed.

Getting Into College: Picking The Right Place

The key to succeeding at college is to go to the right college in the first place. 

The first step toward picking the right college is to find out exactly what you need to do to get in. Use an acceptance calculator to see if your grades stack up. This Penn State acceptance calculator at CampusReel is a great example. 

Once that’s determined, the next step is to figure out which schools will give you the best shot at getting into your target college or university.

While it may be tempting to apply primarily to a school with a low acceptance rate, successful admissions often come down to fit. 

Try and pick colleges that provide a good match for your personality and interests, as this will ensure your academic and social success in college overall. 

It’s also essential that the school provides what you need, whether it be sports, extracurricular activities, or high academic rigor.

Prepare For Your First Week of College

Following the first week of school, you will be overwhelmed. You’ll want to know what your classes are like, whether or not you have to write finals, and exactly when said finals will be. 

In many schools, this is called “orientation week,” and it’s a great time to get acquainted with your fellow students, professors, and campus services. 

Getting Along With Your Peers

Adjusting to dorm life can be stressful at first. It’s important to keep in mind that you’re not alone in your struggles. 

Try to get involved with college clubs and events, and make time for one-on-one conversations with others. 

If you’re finding that you don’t have much in common with your roommate, it may be a good idea to seek out other students who share similar interests. 

If nothing else, it can provide an added sense of comfort in knowing that someone on campus is more or less like you.

Stay Organized And On Time

College may be a tough transition, but being on time is the best way to ensure that you’re able to do your work without the stress of slacking off. 

Not only does it make you look professional, but it can also help you manage a busy college schedule by boosting your productivity. 

It may also show that you have a healthy level of responsibility and respect for others’ time. 

This will boost your impressive college application if you’re able to prove that you’re actually capable of following through with your plans on time.