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Yes!
You made it in, but now you're scared. You'll be on your own
for the very first time! Can someone say "First-Year Jitters?"
You've got a serious case of 'em...
Five
Tips to Fight Away Your Freshmen Fears
Rebecca
Vara
April 2002
The
CollegeBound Network NewsClick -- You're a stand-out high
school star -- varsity letter winner, student body president,
friendly with everyone. You're pretty confident, right? But
take you out of your element and toss you into a bigger one
with new faces and adult responsibilities, and it could spell
trouble.
To
fight first-year college culture shock, take some advice from
Dr. Julia Turovsky, associate director of the Anxiety Disorders
Clinic at Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional
Psychology.
1
- Have a family affair. Just because you're becoming an
independent young adult doesn't mean you should cut ties with
mom and dad. Stay in touch with your 'rents -- it'll help
you feel safe and comforted. Also, keep those you love close
by adorning your dorm with family photos and by sharing your
memories with others.
2
- Everything in moderation! Your body is your temple,
so respect it. Feed it plenty of nutrients and give it lots
of rest. Eat only a minimum of greasy food and limit your
caffeine intake. And remember to catch your Zzzs each night
to fight off fatigue and depression.
3
- Get physical... Exercise is a great way to curb feelings
of anxiety. Aerobic activity makes it harder for the body
to feel stress, and can energize as well as calm you. Swim,
bike, run... do what you enjoy. An added perk: Being active
offers a chance to be social and meet new people.
4
- Get organized. College is overwhelming, so try to keep
things in perspective. Keep a
"to-do" list to track what needs to get done and when. Also,
set small, realistic goals to strive for. The feeling of achievement
when you reach them can be very self-fulfilling.
5
- Plan ahead. Before school starts, stroll around and
familiarize yourself with the campus. You know how it feels
to be lost... avoid it at all costs! After all, you don't
want to be one of those lost-in-the-crowd freshmen, do you?!
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