During my first six months as a college freshman, I got sick five different times—the first time during orientation week.
I couldn’t understand why I kept having to spend entire days in bed cradling a mug of tea, too weak to go outside, especially since I rarely got ill when I lived at home with my parents. I began to blame my constant lapse in health on my surroundings, first accusing my roommate for setting the air conditioning to freezing temperatures overnight, then later claiming that I wasn’t accustomed to winter in New York. After far too many days spent wondering why I felt so exhausted and weak, it was clear that something was not right.
When I look back on my freshman year of college, I have countless amazing memories of one of the most exciting times of my life. There was something new to experience every day: new people to meet, friends to make, restaurants to try in the city, places to explore around my dorm building. I had been looking forward to my first year as a college student for years and felt like I needed to do absolutely everything in order to get the most out of my time as a freshman.
As it turns out, trying to do everything all at once is extremely draining. It took a visit from my mother to make me realize that constantly trying to experience the city and college life might affect my wellbeing. When she came to see me for a weekend, I was so tired that I could hardly stay awake, and barely had enough energy to explore to city with her.
Nonetheless, I was still desperate to see my friends every night, and forced myself to go out with them even though I knew I wouldn’t enjoy it in the state I was in. At the end of my mom’s trip, and after she made it clear that my incessant need to do everything wasn’t healthy anymore, I knew something had to change.
If I could go back and tell my freshman-self one thing, it would be to chill out. After being in college for a few years, I’ve learned that while it is important to experience new things and make memories with friends, especially during an exciting time like college, it is more important to take care of yourself.
For many of us, college marks the first time we are truly independent, but what I didn’t initially realize is that besides being able to do whatever I wanted to, it was also the first time I had to take care of my own health. I was so focused on having the most amazing freshman year experience that I could, that I completely forgot to take time for myself to rest and recharge before going back out.
By the time I reached my sophomore year and had completely settled into college life, I began to slowly prioritize my own wellbeing over attending every event and plan possible. My initial fears of missing out on the college experience don’t seem so daunting anymore, and now that I choose to relax and take care of myself, it only makes the times I do choose to go out and have fun so much better. At least now I won’t be so exhausted that I can barely stay awake.
