How To Survive That First Month of College

By Sarah Newberry
Staff Writer
IG: @luv2dance43

When college students are sinking in school with classes and are desperate, it can be hard to stay afloat. Juggling life and classes, it’s hard sometimes to keep your head above water. Although, it’s not impossible.

Being a college student is hard and requires you to stay on top of things. There are some common mistakes that students make at the beginning of the semester.

“Waiting too long to ask for help is a mistake students make,” said LaNette Estill, a counselor at Hutchinson Community College.

College life is different for everyone. Some people are partygoers, while others don’t have much fun at all. 

“Either students are having too much fun or no social life at all,” said Bailey Goodman, a counselor at HutchCC.

Balance is essential, but also setting yourself up for success is beneficial.

Depending on the type of student someone is, college life can be more challenging. Students at the college come from diverse backgrounds.

“Many of our students take classes, work, work full time, are married, and have children. Some students are of traditional age,” said Debbie Graber, Coordinator of Counseling and Social Work services at HutchCC.

Self-care is crucial when it comes to college. To succeed in college, you need to stay healthy.

 “Getting enough sleep is crucial, and eating is important too.” Graber said.

Kobi Nance, a sophomore at HutchCC, also has some tips for surviving the first couple of months of college. It’s important to have a social life at school, and one way students can do that is by joining clubs.

Nance is a part of the Gay Straight Alliance, Dungeons and Dragons club,and the art club. Nance is from Omaha and is pursuing her general education degree.

Studying is also crucial to staying afloat in school, and Nance’s favorite study spot on campus is her room.

“Just do your work, get it done on time, and don’t wait until the last minute,” Nance said.

Things on campus, with school, and in life in general can get chaotic, and it feels like things are out of control. That’s when students can turn to certain people for help.

“I would definitely recommend it for students with mental health issues to get a therapist on or off campus,” Nance said.

Priorities and the order in which students complete them are crucial when it comes to staying on top of things.

“I usually get my homework done right after class,” Nance said.

Self-care is an integral part of being in college. Many students have different forms of self-care, and Nance plays video games and takes naps when needed.

The first couple of months of college can be stressful and demanding. However, if students can stay on top of schoolwork, take care of themselves, and aren’t afraid to ask for help, they can succeed.

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