Navigating College Life: Balancing Excitement, Burnout, and Uncertainty
Starting a new academic journey can be both thrilling and overwhelming, especially when moving far from home to a new city. Many students share the experience of stepping into university life with a mix of enthusiasm and apprehension, and it’s perfectly normal to feel a bit scattered during this transition.
Reflecting on my own experience, I recently attended orientation at my university — a place I’ve only visited once before. Moving several hours away from everything familiar is intimidating, yet I’m eager to embrace the challenges ahead. As a psychology major aiming for graduate school, I tend to fill my schedule with numerous extracurricular activities. Last year, even while attending community college, I managed a diverse load: participating in student media, occasional student government meetings, honors programs like PTK, organizing campus events, and engaging with SkillsUSA—all alongside full course loads and part-time work—sometimes clocking in up to 20 hours weekly.
I attribute much of my ability to juggle these responsibilities to my ADHD, which sparks my impulsive nature: my brain constantly urges, “Let’s do that now!” This often leads to procrastination and moments of overwhelm, but I persist and manage to get things done. Still, as I prepare to start university, I carry that neurotic energy with me, coupled with a sense of burnout that’s been simmering for some time.
Despite these challenges, I remain genuinely excited about college — meeting new people, exploring fresh ideas, engaging in research, and all the academic adventures that await. I admit to a love-hate relationship with the world of higher education, appreciating its opportunities yet feeling the strain of its demands.
Orientation has been a whirlwind of information, and already, I’m questioning: Should I start applying for internships? Look for part-time work? Volunteer? Join organizations? How proactive should I be? And, perhaps most oddly, why am I the only one choosing to attend the optional sessions?
I have a therapy appointment scheduled soon, but I’d love to hear from others who have navigated university life longer than I have — especially if you relate to my sense of being overwhelmed or balancing multiple commitments. How do you manage your schedule effectively? Is all this extracurricular involvement worth it in the long run? Any insights or tips would be greatly appreciated as I try to find my footing in this new chapter.