The college experience is one you’ll never forget. You meet new people from many different backgrounds; have new, exciting and fulfilling experiences; you get to study what you love or explore what you want to study; and you’ll have a LOT more freedom and independence. All of these things compounded will make for an amazing journey, but beware! If you don’t find the right balance between studying, a social life, maintaining relationships, and taking time for yourself things can quickly spiral out of control.

Here a few tips to effectively navigate college life:

1. It’s true there are only 24 hours in a day, but you don’t have to do everything all in one day. If you plan meticulously you’ll be able to get everything that you need to be done in a timely manner without unnecessarily stressing yourself out. Prioritize carefully by doing the most important or most time-consuming activities first so that you’re not stressed about fast-approaching deadlines. Get a planner or desk calendar if you need to.
2. Always remember, procrastination is not your friend! Disciplining yourself and getting the work done can not only reduce your stress but it also helps you to be on your A-game for all of your classes.
3. Get involved! Farmingdale State College is primarily a commuter college but that doesn’t mean you have to come to school only for your classes. Having no social life and no friends is no way to go through college, so you should definitely join a club. Farmingdale State College offers a wide range of activities for you to participate in during common hour, so why not try something new or further develop your passion for something. FSC has lots of clubs like the Afro-Caribbean Club, Student Government Association, FSC Dance Team, Backstage Theatre Company, and a thriving Greek life, just to name a few. Clubs are a great way to make new friends, have new experiences, and discover your own strengths and passions while having loads of fun, and it looks great on a résumé.
4. Get help if you need it! Your college workload will definitely be much more than what it was in high school, so don’t be embarrassed if you need some extra assistance. You can ask your professors for some guidance, seek help from the campus tutoring centers, and use the resources offered on campus to help you figure out the studying strategies which work best for you to ensure you get good grades. Don’t be afraid to talk to your professors for guidance; after all, they are here to help, and if you’re feeling intimidated refer to the post entitled “Tips for Talking to Your Professors,” which will definitely help you through this.
5. Of course, life in college is busy, but your health should never take a backseat. It’s easy to skip a meal just to get an extra few minutes of sleep, or because you’re running late for class, but sustenance is just as important as sleep for you to maintain your physical strength and focus in class, so be sure to have three meals every day. In addition to eating well, you should try to exercise. If you find it hard to motivate yourself, find a friend who will help motivate you and has the same health goals as you. In the event that you feel ill, the Health and Wellness Center provides the appropriate assistance when you’re feeling under the weather. Your mental health is equally important, and life happens, so if you ever feel overwhelmed don’t be afraid to take a step back from the hustle and bustle of life to recover. Always try to take some time for self-care, whether that be exercising, yoga, or simply doing a face mask. You can’t do your best if you don’t feel your best.
6. The campus also offers mental health services if you need it, so you never have to feel alone as you deal with whatever life throws at you. Don’t hesitate to get the help you need.
7. Don’t forget to spend some time with your loved ones. It’s easy to get caught up with life and all the fun events at college, but don’t forget about those people in your life who have always loved and supported you through the good times and the bad. Spending some time with them or simply sending a text letting them know you care helps to maintain a healthy relationship with those near and dear to your heart.