One of my biggest fears entering college was: am I going to fit in? This was my biggest fear for numerous reasons. I came from a really small school where everyone knows each other and even there I didn’t fit in with everybody. I was wondering if it was going to be the same way in college. I was afraid that I wasn’t going to make any friends. I had a small group of friends in high school, but everyone else had their own little clique. I felt that going from a small school to a medium-sized private school would make the transition easier for me. Unfortunately, my fear came true. I don’t really fit in with anyone at school. I have made about 3 friends in the two years that I have been at school. I don’t really talk to them often, but I’m totally okay with that. I have come to accept the fact that I don’t quite fit in with the people around me, yet I’m perfectly okay with keeping to myself and just being me.
There are tons of different places that students can go to receive support for their mental health issues. Here are just a few:
School Counseling Services
If your school offers counseling services, take advantage of them! I cannot express it enough how important it is to talk to someone. They are there to help you through anything that you may be going through. Health services is another place that can definitely help.
Your Doctor 
You can see a regular doctor to get you started on medication if that’s the route that you want to take. If your school has a psychologist, take advantage of that too. They can definitely help with more advanced mental health issues that maybe your counselor or doctor may not be able to help with.
Friends, New and Old
Another resource you may not realize you always have access to is friends. Friends are the easiest people to talk to about problem that you may be having and can offer an immense amount of support. I never really had anyone that helped me with my transition to college. After high school, I kind of pushed all my friends out of my life because I was so depressed I didn’t want to feel like burden and hold them back. Right before winter break my freshman year of college, the only friend I still talked to after high school, introduced me to the most amazing girl I have ever met in my life. Even though she wasn’t there for my transition from the very beginning, it was pretty darn close to the start. She helped me through the rest of my college transition. She helped me with my mental health and making sure that I go the help that I really needed. She always made sure to do everything that she could to make me happy and give me some of my happiness back. I’m going into my third year of college and she has never left my side.
I don’t have a certain routine or system, but I do have a few things that help me cope with my mental health. If I start to feel overwhelmed, I take a step back and try to focus on one thing at time. If I’m at home, I like to color to help distract my brain from my thoughts. Taking a nap, even a 10 minute nap, can completely change my mood and how I am feeling mentally.
By: Katie Haddad, Anxiety In Teens Contributor