College is an exciting milestone, but the transition from structure to independence can bring a surprising amount of anxiety for some students.
For the first time, students are stepping away from 13 years of relatively predictable routines. In high school, schedules, expectations and support systems are often built around them. Once they arrive on a college campus, the responsibility shifts. They’re managing their own schedules, getting to class, keeping up with assignments, making decisions and holding themselves accountable, all while figuring out what it means to be an adult.
That’s a lot of change at once.
It’s also normal for questions to start piling up: Am I in the right major? Will this career path make me happy? Am I doing enough? Do I have enough money for the month? What’s happening with my friendships? Why does it seem like everyone else has it all figured out?
For some students, anxiety may be obvious. But it doesn’t always look like a panic attack. It can show up as procrastination, withdrawing from friends, perfectionism, skipping class, constantly second-guessing decisions or making frequent changes to their plans. Some students may even start neglecting basic responsibilities or taking less care of themselves.
That’s why it’s important not to overlook the basics: sleep, nutrition and routine. (And that goes for any young adult, not just freshmen.)
Before college, many of those things were built into a student’s day. There was a set time to wake up, a schedule to follow, meals were more predictable and parents or caregivers often helped provide structure.
A student running on four or five hours of sleep, skipping meals, relying heavily on caffeine and lacking a consistent routine is going to have a much harder time managing everyday stress. Taking care of the basics doesn’t eliminate anxiety, but it can give the brain and body a better foundation for handling it.
Parents, family members and other support systems can play an important role, too. Instead of focusing only on, “How are your grades?” try asking questions that get a little deeper: How are you really doing? How are you feeling about the path you’re on? Are you getting enough sleep? When was the last time you had a good meal? Are you spending enough time with people who make you feel connected?
And perhaps the most important question is simply “What support from me would help you feel more successful in this new chapter?”
College is a big step toward independence, but becoming independent doesn’t mean students have to figure everything out on their own. Sometimes, knowing someone is there to listen, check in and offer support can make the transition feel a little more manageable.