Students blog

I don’t know about you, but my first-year experience didn’t look like what orientation presented. Sure, I made a few friends here and there, but we never stuck together. And I get it; people say I ought to be more outgoing and reach out, but for me, nothing compared to the amalgamation of judgments I was convinced everyone held about me.

At the end of my first year, I was socially and academically burned out. I was yearning for a space to belong and a group of friends to just talk with. However, making that happen felt uncertain, risky, and scary.

But I knew I had to find this place for myself. To do so, I had to overcome one of my biggest fears: talking to people.

Knowing When to Reach Out

At first, I tried to reach out to classmates. However, the idea of doing so made me very nervous, and I would imagine our future interactions before the first one even happened. I became excessively nervous about my words and body language, which led to social isolation during my first year.

At this point, I realized my anxiety was largely affecting my social life, so I sought help at my university’s counseling center. Everyone’s reasons for pursuing counseling are different; in my case, they greatly influenced the way I made friends. I strongly wanted a place to belong on campus and was willing to go to counseling to do so.

Exploring My Counseling Center's Options

My counseling center at the University of Nevada, Reno, had two buildings: an annex and the main office. The annex offered quick drop-in sessions titled “Let’s Talk,” where a student could come in at any time to discuss anything they wished. This annex provided a safe listening space for students and helped me significantly with social distress on difficult days.

I also took advantage of the main office to treat my social anxiety. I actively participated in group therapy, including an interpersonal therapy group. These sessions helped me challenge the cognitive distortions I had related to social anxiety.

I was able not only to come out of it more socially confident but also to make more friends who experienced the same struggles as I did. Group therapy can foster a sense of community and belonging, helping students feel less isolated.

The Life-Changing Impact

My journey with my university’s counseling services was transformative. It provided a dedicated space to unpack common college struggles, which made me feel less alone. More importantly, I grew confident in my ability to reach out to people without my old habit of overthinking the outcome.

Beyond simply treating social anxiety, counseling taught me invaluable life lessons in self-compassion and communication. My college experience today looks nothing like that isolating first year. I learned that seeking help is not a weakness but a courageous first step toward building the life you want.

I will always be the number one advocate for taking advantage of campus counseling centers, especially if they are included in your tuition. If you feel like you're on the outside looking in, it might just be the key to finding the community you’ve been searching for.

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started! 

My hobbies “live” in my living room. When life gets hectic, I find myself walking sullenly past my two guitars and piano every day. The strings waiting patiently to be tuned, and the piano keys missing the gentle pressure of my fingers.

This used to be a normal day after classes for me. I didn’t realize I had forgotten the passions that put me on this track until summer break, when my ears were blessed by live instruments and vocals.

Soon, I became determined to let my hobbies, which had decayed over time, live again. I just had one problem: the millions of assignments on my to-do list.

Reignite Your Passion

With time, we often forget how much our hobbies mattered when they topped our lists, instead of the next fifteen-page essay due at 11:59 p.m. It took a live jazz band performing in a courtyard for me to realize how much music truly meant to me. Seeing the musicians’ chemistry with each other reminded me of how much I loved playing with others.

It’s easy to say that time management is necessary for balancing hobbies and assignments, but it’s a lot harder to commit to it. It becomes a thousand times easier to practice when you remember why you’re making time for everything.

I implore you: take a moment to remember what once mattered to you. Why did you like to draw? What about swimming makes you feel good?

Make the Commitment

Realizing I had to get my hands on my guitar strings again, I sought out a club on campus. I chose the Musical Therapy Club as a lover of both music and therapy. We didn’t just jam together; we volunteered at nursing homes and cafes to increase the community’s quality of life.

This also aligned with my hobbies and future healthcare career, though my impact differed from that of a nurse. Still, I got to do something I love in tandem with my goals.

Joining this club also meant commitment. To ensure quality performances, I had to practice every Thursday evening. I couldn’t spontaneously skip out on it, as I often did with my assignments.

I committed to a mission with other people, and it was my goal to stick with it. Joining a club ties you to your hobby. When you work and socialize with others, your passions feel more fulfilling with that support system around you.

Turn Hobbies into Rewards

I used to pity myself for “abandoning” my hobbies for college assignments. Even after studying, I didn’t find picking up my guitar rewarding because I felt ashamed for leaving it alone. Eventually, I changed my mindset.

Rather than feeling ashamed, I understood that academics were a vital priority. I was only trying to take care of my future.

I began to see my hobbies as a reward after a good study session. I became more motivated to finish assignments so I could switch from “study sesh” to “jam sesh.”

If there is one thing to take away, it’s that growing out of hobbies over time is natural. It’s incredibly easy to get lost in jobs, assignments, and daily struggles.

However, there’s no shame in trying to balance it all. I once pitied those untuned strings, but now I see things more positively. My guitar strings aren’t abandoned; they’re just waiting for my magic touch!

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started! 

Imagine eating instant noodles in your dorm, dreaming of going home soon for your mom’s chicken adobo. For many college students, including me, this is a reality. As a foodie, it’s hard to look at a cupboard of dwindling instant-noodle packages. Not only did eating the same thing get old, but it also wasn’t nutritious.

College life is often depicted as having an empty wallet and surviving on instant noodles. However, I learned that it doesn’t have to be that way! Here are my best tips to eat well in college while keeping your cash intact.

Find Your Campus Food Pantry

Many universities have a food pantry to combat student food insecurity. On days when I ran low on groceries, I took advantage of the one on my campus (shout-out to Pack Provisions at the University of Nevada, Reno).

Using the pantry, I could get ground beef or chicken once a week, which kept my belly and wallet full. These proteins are versatile; you can make burgers or a stir-fry with the right seasonings.

The pantry also provides eggs, milk, cereal, bread, and other foods that can last for weeks. I highly recommend checking if your university has a food pantry. It’s there for you!

Score Free Food at Events

Have you ever walked through campus and seen a crowd around a table? Chances are clubs, organizations, and companies are handing out free food to attract students.

As a hungry student, I’d do almost anything for free pizza. Stay updated on events offering free food by following your university’s social media accounts. I follow nearly fifty campus organizations and enjoy a variety of free food at least once a week.

Expand Your Budget with SNAP

During my first year, I worked as a server for twenty-four hours every weekend (bonus tip: work at a food establishment for free meals). One day in the library, I saw a local organization helping students who work at least twenty hours a week apply for a government program called SNAP.

SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, provides food benefits to supplement an individual's grocery budget. Since I was eligible, I set up an appointment, and they helped me apply.

Every month, I get money on an EBT card to use at SNAP-friendly businesses. This card allows me to eat well and buy exactly what I need within my allocated budget.

Final Food for Thought

Eating well-balanced, nutritious meals as a college student can support other facets of your life, like your studies and workouts at the gym. Did I also mention that your immune system gets a nice boost?

For college students, proper nutrition is critical. You deserve more than a diet of instant noodles; by fueling your body, you fuel your success in and out of the classroom. Eat well, study well, live well!

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started!