Probably one of the worst feelings in the world as a college student is not knowing if you will be able to continue on with your education because of how expensive it can be, on top of other financial responsibilities you also have occurring in your life. While college is supposed to be one of the happiest time periods of our lives, it may not feel that way when you are plagued with a ridiculous amount of student debt on top of making sure you have enough money for books, rent, car insurance, utilities, gas money, food, and all other costs that come with being a living person.

While sometimes the stress can be so unbearable you may feel like you are drowning in it, I am here to say, "just breathe."

I know that is easier said than done. Believe me. I've had more mental breakdowns in my college career due to financial problems than I can count on my fingers at this point. This is exactly how I know that it is not, in fact, the end of your world.

For starters, you are at a far better advantage than the students that have the luxury to go throughout their college career not needing a job. You understand the sacrifices that come with being an adult, but also the pleasure of knowing that you are capable of handling it all on your own.

Hopefully, you only have to deal with this for four years until you graduate. I commend you if you are able to graduate on time despite the fact that you worked over forty hours a week to make sure you could support yourself. I commend you if it is taking more time than you expected because you understand that at the end of the day you will be better off taking your time and getting the diploma rather than dropping out and not getting a diploma at all. Both situations are remarkable because both are equally tough.

Understand that you are never truly alone in this situation and that reaching out to friends and family to help whether mentally or physically (such as being fed) does not make you any less of a strong person. I am eternally grateful to the people that fed me when I could not feed myself and hugged me while I cried the stress away. Sometimes that is what needs to be done and you should never be too proud to accept the help.

While this is a stressful time period, do not let it control you. One day you will look back on all your successes, and I hope that getting through this time period is one that stays in your mind. Tyler Knott Gregson so beautifully wrote, "Promise me, you will not spend so much time treading water and trying to keep your head above the waves that you forget, truly forget, how much you have always loved to swim." I hope you can do the same.