College isn’t just about classes and cramming for midterms. It’s this weird in-between stage where you’re technically an adult but still figuring out how to keep plants alive (or yourself, if we’re being honest). Between deadlines, social pressures, and that creeping feeling that you should have your whole life planned out by now, the stress can hit like a freight train. But before you let the weight of it all knock you flat, let’s talk about what’s really going on—and, more importantly, how to handle it.

The Unspoken Pressure to “Get It Right”

There’s this unspoken rule in college: you have to pick the perfect major, land the perfect internships, and somehow avoid completely wrecking your GPA, all while maintaining a social life that makes your high school classmates jealous on Instagram. And if you mess up? If you switch majors three times, take an extra year, or realize halfway through that you don’t even like what you’re studying? It can feel like failing.

But here’s the thing: nobody really knows what they’re doing. Even the ones who act like they do. Everyone is figuring it out as they go, and the pressure to have a flawless plan is more about expectations than reality. Careers change. Interests evolve. Some of the most successful people didn’t figure out their path until much later. The sooner you let go of the need to “get it right” immediately, the easier it is to actually enjoy the experience of learning—without the unnecessary anxiety attached to it.

Why Relationships Feel Harder Than Ever

College friendships and relationships can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. One minute, you’re inseparable, and the next, someone transfers, ghosts, or starts acting like a completely different person. It’s the first time many people experience relationships without the built-in structure of seeing each other every day in high school, and that transition can be rough.

Then there’s dating. Some people are looking for something serious, some just want casual fun, and others have no clue what they want—but everyone’s figuring it out in real time. It’s easy to compare your experience to the highlight reels you see online and think you’re doing something wrong if you’re not in a perfect relationship (or even dating at all). But real connections take time, and they don’t always look like the polished version people post about.

If things feel rocky, it might help to talk to someone about it—individually or together. Some campuses even offer services for couples, which can help you work through miscommunications before they turn into major issues. College is already stressful; your relationships shouldn’t add to it.

Mental Health Help That Doesn’t Feel Like a Last Resort

When people talk about mental health, it’s usually in the context of burnout or breaking points—like you have to wait until you’re drowning before you ask for a life raft. But that’s a terrible approach. Your mental health deserves the same level of attention as your physical health, and it shouldn’t take a crisis to make it a priority.

The good news? There are actual resources available, and they’re more accessible than you might think. Some people avoid reaching out because they assume it’s too expensive, but a lot of campuses offer free or low-cost counseling options. And if your school’s mental health center is booked solid (because let’s be honest, that happens), there are therapists in Kansas that can meet in person or online, making it easier to find someone who fits your needs and schedule. Whether you need help with stress, anxiety, or just want someone to vent to who isn’t your roommate, there’s no shame in getting support before things spiral.

Social Media is Messing With Your Head More Than You Think

We all know social media isn’t real life, but that doesn’t stop it from messing with your self-esteem. You see people going to concerts, getting perfect grades, landing amazing internships, and traveling the world while you’re just trying to survive another week of assignments. It’s easy to feel like you’re behind, even though you’re not.

The reality is, nobody is posting about the nights they spent crying over an essay or the weekends they stayed in because they were broke. The more you compare yourself to a carefully curated highlight reel, the worse you’ll feel about your own experience. Cutting back on scrolling (or at least unfollowing accounts that make you feel like garbage) can make a bigger difference than you’d think.

Actually Finding a Routine That Works

Let’s be real: nobody loves hearing the classic “get enough sleep, eat healthy, exercise” speech when they’re running on coffee and sheer willpower. But the thing is, routines matter. Not in some robotic, wake-up-at-5AM-and-journal-for-an-hour kind of way, but in a way that gives your brain some stability.

Maybe that means setting a bedtime that isn’t dictated by when Netflix asks if you’re still watching. Maybe it’s making sure you get outside for ten minutes so you don’t feel like a cave creature. Small habits add up, and finding a routine that works for you—without forcing yourself into unrealistic expectations—can make a massive difference in how you feel day-to-day.

The Takeaway

College is a lot, and nobody expects you to handle it perfectly. The pressure, the stress, the late-night existential crises—they’re all part of the process. But you don’t have to go through it alone, and you definitely don’t have to wait until you’re overwhelmed to do something about it.

Finding support, setting boundaries with social media, and creating a routine that actually works for you can help make everything feel a little more manageable. The goal isn’t to have everything figured out overnight—it’s to find ways to make the whole experience less exhausting and a lot more enjoyable.