Stressed About College

I'm new here so this is my first post. I just wanted to talk about what's been bothering me lately, since I've been told that I should reach out about my anxiety.

I'm a senior entering my first year of college and it's absolutely terrifying. I've already made my decision to go to a community college, and whay to major in, yet I'm terrified I'm doing the wrong thing.

My biggest fear is that in the future, I won't be able to transfer to the university I want to go to by going to community college first. It keeps me up at night. It makes me cry and vomit. I have no reason to be stressing so much about something that isn't happening anytime soon but still.

My anxiety is eating up at me and I wish it weren't. I have my sister to reassure me and make me feel better. And that helps for a day. But then the next day the stress comes back and taunts me and it's just an endless cycle. Over and over again.

I just can't live in a world where I'm not anxious. I just want things to feel OK.

[Stippler]

Hello TiredandAfraid23 - welcome to the group! There are many good people here who might be able to help you. Your reaching out is indeed a very good first step. You are not alone in this. I don't have quite the type of anxiety you have, but I still have very severe anxiety. What helps me a lot nowadays is the Serenity Prayer. For me, it means doing everything I can, and embracing the uncertainty of what I cannot change and choosing to try my best to live peacefully in spite of it. Sometimes I have to just accept that I am going to be anxious, and go easy on myself, because I cannot always change that either. This may or may not work for you - it is what I have found gets me through some of my anxiety. Hopefully many of our other members can offer more tips. I wish for you peace. 🙏🙏🙏

[Hidden in reply to Stippler]

I'll try and do what you said. I think a lot of it has to do with me being too hard on myself. Ty for the comment

[Blueruth]

you’ll be able to transfer. Colorado automatically accepts residents if you complete an associate and you are a resident after 6 months. If you don’t like Colorado universities check other states. So hopefully that is off your plate. Besides that you only have today. Tomorrow doesn’t exist. What can you do today?

[Hidden in reply to Blueruth]

I don't plan on attending Colorado schools, but I know that the state universities I wanna go to typically accept transfers. In fact, the school I wanna go to has a high transfer admission rate. My anxiety just makes me overlook that I guess.

I'm trying to focus on the now rather than the future. Thank you for your comment

[Blueruth in reply to Hidden]

I was just using Colorado as an example. I imagine other states have the same arrangement. If you want to go to 4 year college you can. Might cost more than it’s worth but you can go.

[Hidden in reply to Blueruth]

I plan on it as soon as I finish at my community college. I want a chance to really figure out what I wanna do with my life before going off to a big city

[Blueruth in reply to Hidden]

you know what? That city is going to alter your plans because it is a whole new world. What you decide to do with your life now could be 180 from 3 years from now. Don’t over think it. I say that positively. The best thing you could do is be open. Experience the city. Chances are 💯 percent you don’t know what you don’t know. And that a good thing because right now you seem to think it is bad but I promise it isn’t.

[Hidden]

It certainly sounds like you are suffering from a great deal of anxiety, especially thoughts about what might happen in the future. You are doing what is called fortunetelling and catastrophizing. I would suggest learning about cognitive behavioral therapy, as this is exactly the sort of thing it was designed to deal with. There are many good books out there on cognitive behavioral therapy, but I tend to recommend Feeling Great by David Burns since I think it is one of the best.

In addition, simple activities such as meditation and deep breathing can be very helpful. Both of these things can be useful if done even briefly. It is often helpful to take a minute or two to engage in some deep breathing exercises when you are feeling stressed.

You also received some good advice about focusing your energies on those things you can control and not wasting your energy and things you cannot control. You can control your own thoughts and behaviors, but you cannot control the thoughts and behaviors of other people. Do not assume that their perspectives or ideas art any more valid then your own.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Oh wow I googled those terms u mentioned and that perfectly describes my anxiety. I never knew how to describe it so thank you for introducing me to that.

I wanna try and focus on myself but it's really hard. But it's a process and I just need to work thru it. Slowly but surely

[Kainan]

wishing things were different is a sure way to bring about anxiety. Anxiety is going to be there and it’s ok. It’s a normal response to starting something new. So hats off to you for continuing your education.

[Hidden in reply to Kainan]

I didn't think of it like that. I guess it's hard accepting my anxiety but you're right. I need to start working on that. Ty for ur comment

[Kainan in reply to Hidden]

you’re welcome 👍

[Tank23]

See if you can take an interest inventory either while still in high school or at the community college level. May can find one free online. They really help with students finding what skills they have and potion them in the direction of career choices. Good luck!

[Hidden]

That's a good idea! Thank you!