11 Ways to Have a Happy First Year

Starting college can be both an exciting adventure and a difficult transition.  While you are bound to make new friends, you are leaving old friends behind to move onto campus.  While you are officially living on your own –without the watchful eye of parents! –you are without the security and stability that parents often provide.  Lots of decisions about your life have to be made by you.  You’re an adult now, and I hate to say it…but being an adult isn’t always fun.  It’s hard work.  You will undoubtedly encounter the “figuring yourself out” phase.  It’s part of the package when becoming an adult.  At times, you will feel lost, and unsure of yourself.

Needless to say, your first year can be overwhelming.  Here are ways to maintain your happiness, while dealing with the highs and lows of college life.

1. Cultivate friendships with classy coeds. Create a home away from home by developing friendships with other first-time freshmen and upperclassmen.  When you’re feeling homesick, or troubled about a situation, you can turn to them for support.  They will likely know exactly what you’re going through.  These are also the people with whom you will explore the town and embark on daytime/nighttime adventures.

2. Surround yourself with what you love. Without a doubt, you will miss home and all your family and friends.  Decorate your walls with pictures from home of family and friends.  (Pets are part of the family, too!)  Love books?  Love collecting elephant figurines?  Surround yourself with them.

3. Do what you love. What is your passion?  What activity makes you happy?  Singing?  Dancing?  Reading?  Volunteering?  Whatever it is, when your spirits are low, do it!

4. Be you. This is a simple thing to do, but it can be complicated if you’re not being true to yourself.  Naturally when you enter a new environment, you want to fit in.  But fitting in may involve doing things that you aren’t really interested in.  Try to learn quickly what is and isn’t you.  Invest your time in the things you’re passionate about.  You’ll be the happier for it.

5. Be productive. An idle mind breeds negative thoughts.  During a low or lonely moment, you’re likely to feel worse about your situation because you have time to think about it.  Occupy your time by forming a study group.  Or by becoming active in campus organizations.  Not only will you be giving back to your community and/or campus in some way, but you’re sure to make new friends as well.

6. Exercise and eat healthier foods. Exercising is a sure way to boost your mood.  If your campus has a fitness center, take advantage of it.  You and a friend could participate in joint workout sessions.  If you don’t have time for the gym, walk the longer route to class.  And make it a point to take the stairs instead of the elevator.  In my first post for College Lifestyles, I mention healthy foods that are mood-boosters.  Check out tip #3.

7. Listen to your favorite music. Create an album of music on your I-pod, or in a file on your computer, of songs that make you feel good.  When you’re feeling down, play it… but don’t sit still.  Get up and dance.  Dancing is also a form of exercise, so even if you aren’t the greatest dancer you will still feel good about yourself afterward.

8. Create a comfortable and relaxing living space. Sometimes our clutter is a reflection of how we’re feeling inside.  If you feel flustered and disheveled, your living space is going to reflect that.  What makes you relaxed?  What makes you happy?  Is it your favorite color?  Pictures of your friends?  Minimal clutter?  Flowers?  Decorate your dorm room with whatever makes you breathe a sigh of relief when you step inside.  For dorm decorating tips, check out Kendall’s post: Dorm Decorating for Any Classy Coed.

9. Become organized. When you’re organized, you’re able to stay on top of things and you’re less likely to stress.  You don’t have to wonder where you put your term paper, or whether you’re missing a really big meeting or deadline.  You have more time to focus on what’s really important: making sure you have an exciting and memorable first year of college.

10. Smile.  It really works. Whenever you’re feeling unhappy or upset about something, smile.  It can make you feel better.  My mom taught me this when I was younger, and it worked for me.  How exactly it works, I’m not sure.  Maybe smiling tricks our minds into believing that we are happy.  Maybe it sends a signal to our brain that says, “Hey, she’s smiling.  She must be happy!”  With a smile on your face, you’re likely to attract people who are upbeat and in happy moods –exactly what you need.

11. Decide to be happy. You determine your happiness.  And you control your emotions.* Make the decision that you are going to be happy, and actively work towards it.  Nothing in life comes without work.  Your happiness is no exception.

*Depression makes it impossible to control your emotions.  If you think you may be depressed, you need immediate professional help.  Contact your school’s health services.  Or if you feel uncomfortable doing so, tell your roommate, tell a friend or family member, tell anyone who you believe can get you the help you need.  For signs and symptoms of depression: College Students and Depression.

Shannon Palmore is an intern with College Lifestyles, and a Senior majoring in English at Spelman College.  When her head is not stuck in a book, it is in the clouds, where she dreams about culinary arts school and her first book signing event.  She hopes all new classy coeds have a happy, fun-filled first year!