College move-in comes around. Your parents drop you off, and you hug and kiss them goodbye, holding on one last time before your childhood dissolves into a new reality. You should feel excited, as all you were told your whole life was that “these are the best years of your life.” However, the excitement is combined with feelings of sadness and nerves. A looming dread, an anxiety, a voice in your head says that you are not good enough to be in such an amazing institution. You feel alone, but you are not. 

Freshman year is filled with tons of exciting events: new friends, classes you are interested in and activity fairs. There is so much going on that there is no time to even think about home or missing it. Then classes start. Suddenly you feel burdened with responsibilities that never fell on you before. You have all this time, but such freedom seems to make managing it more difficult. Your friends stay up late talking, and you want to join. But you know that if you do, you will stay up even later finishing the schoolwork you’ve procrastinated. At the same time, if you don’t join, you fear you will not make any friends, all while everyone else seems to be making their best friends for life. Next, the homesickness sinks in. The home you knew for 18 years is gone. You are an adult, all on your own. The phone screen can’t replace the hugs your mother gave you when you were sad or anxious. You’re in a whole new world with no idea how to navigate these emotions. 

This is not uncommon, however, as many freshmen go through experiences of loneliness.  According to the Jed Foundation, in 2023, 14% of college students reported suicidal ideation, 6% planned a suicide and 2% attempted suicide. Social media worsens the problem as “fun” photos fill up students’ Instagram feeds, establishing a false sense of loneliness and feeling left out. Constant exposure to it can negatively alter the self-image and perception of college students, especially during freshman year, a critical development period. According to the Cleveland Clinic, many posted photos are edited, which fuels comparison behaviors. Social media’s addictive nature also causes college students to lose sleep and fall into poor routines in addition to the fear of missing out (FOMO) that it creates. According to the Jed Foundation, “half of current or former college students report feeling out of place or isolated while in college.” This has led to a noticeable increase in anxiety and depression. According to Dr.  Michael Gerard Mason of the University of Virginia, “Counseling centers have seen extraordinary increases in demand over the past decade,” particularly  those located on college campuses. 

To help with anxiety and depression, students should approach social media with caution. Setting time limits can help with overuse, and unfollowing accounts that cause distress are critical first steps. Setting aside time each day to exercise, go for a walk or listen to music can help replace time spent mindlessly scrolling on social media. Keeping a calendar can help with organizing your time and preventing stress. Taking time to build relationships with classmates and hallmates as a support system also benefits those struggling with loneliness. Self-care is necessary, especially for freshmen learning to adapt. Getting at least eight hours of sleep, eating a balanced diet and building in time for hobbies alleviates burnout. Washington and Lee’s counseling center even provides free therapy for any student who may be struggling or needs someone to talk to. 

Removing the stigma of mental health for college students by promoting open conversation can deter feelings of loneliness and save lives. College feels amazing, sometimes. Other times, the stress makes college exhausting. So it is okay if it doesn’t feel like “the best years” of your life. You are never alone feeling this way. During my freshman year, I struggled with severe anxiety and depression in the first semester.  I felt so much pressure. Many people cannot see the internal struggles of others. My friends thought my life was “so put together” and appeared happy on the outside, but on the inside, I was really struggling with the adjustment. Eventually, the pressure subsided, but such feelings are completely normal, as freshman year is an extreme transition.