If you’re a senior right now, I know college might be what you’re constantly hearing and thinking about and is the last thing you want to be reading about, however these things should make your freshman year a bit easier.

First off, your values and beliefs, before you head down to college and see what it’s all about you should stop and think about what is important to you and what you believe to effectively guide your behavior and decision-making. Once you get to college you will meet people whose values and beliefs will not align with yours and being sure about your own will help you stay true to yourself and might keep you out of harsh situations.

Set boundaries, clearly identify your needs and limits. Find out what makes you uncomfortable and what things make you irritated. This will help you to have better relationships with people once these things are established. It is also crucial to protect your mental and emotional well-being and grow as a person.

Consider your goals, whether this is academic, physical, mental, etc., having a desired objective or outcome that is obtainable will provide motivation and direction. Just make sure you are being realistic and that these goals are things you really want and recognize as important for your future. Goals don’t have to be these big long-term life changing things. It can be something as simple as drinking more water or reading a book. I would recommend having a mix of both. For example, graduating college as a long-term goal and getting to bed 30 minutes earlier as a short-term goal. A great way to check if your goal is set in a clear way is to use the SMART acronym which stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound.

Developing time management skills is crucial for college students for many reasons. It can help improve your academic performance by having your time properly organized and setting time aside for studying.  It can help reduce stress because you feel in control of your day. You will have a more productive and fulfilling college experience if you do this.

Budgeting is vital if you want to be able to feel comfortable with your finances throughout the years. Writing out all your expenses will help you find areas where you can cut back and save. By tracking your income, you will be able to make more informed decisions about saving and spending. Doing this will not only help you during college, but also in the future.

Taking care of your physical and mental well-being is something that you have to remember to do although it’s hard because of all the responsibilities and studying you’ll have. Spending time outside is a great way to do that. Going outside is proven to lower stress levels, boost your mood, enhance your creativity, and improve your cognitive function. Be social and make friends, play pickleball with them or go watch a movie. Have a self-care night and prioritize yourself.

I hope this article will help you out for when you start college! Don’t stress too much about it!