Anonymous

Photography by Jon Gardiner

If you’re reading this, one small step can change everything.

When I first came to UNC as an out of state student, I had no idea what to expect. It was my first time away from home and I knew absolutely nobody (not even my roommate). I felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness and anxiety the moment my parents left. I was on my own and had to figure out how to navigate a completely new environment. I was overwhelmed by the stress of juggling meeting new people, joining clubs, going to class, doing homework, and working out every day. I had to do my own laundry, make my own routine, and build entirely new habits. This transition took a toll on my mental health, and I struggled, both physically and emotionally, during my first few weeks of college.

I didn’t start to notice change until I started taking action to address the things that were stressing me out. I started to plan out my days, I established a wake-up and bedtime routine, and I started going to the gym consistently after class. I also made an academic planner to track my assignments and I got ahead on my homework. All of this allowed me to branch out and meet new people. By sitting with people in the dining hall, going out on weekends, chilling in dorms, joining clubs, playing basketball, and just walking around campus saying hi to people, I made tons of new friends. I started enjoying college, and I was excited for every new day.

I now have a strong group of friends that I hang out with every day and have met even more people who I see at different times throughout the week. By meeting new people and forming strong friendships, as well as engaging in activities I enjoy, like basketball, running, lifting, and spending time with friends, my mental health has improved dramatically. I now believe that I am truly the happiest I have ever been and I can’t wait for what the rest of my college experience has to offer!

Anonymous, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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