It's been a wild semester, but it's over. Now that I'm "Traveling" (which is what Millennials call people on unbelievably long trips), I guess it's time to get real with you.
This whole thing has been a lie, and I've been in hiding in New Jersey this whole time.
Okay, that's a lie. But I do have something that I've been meaning to write on this blog all semester and haven't figured out how.
I have anxiety.
I don't talk about it a lot. I rarely let people see me when it gets bad. But it's there and it's been with me as I travel through Australia. It'll be with me when I travel the world this summer. And it'll be with me when I get back.
It's been tough at times, sure, and sometimes I've been a panicky mess 10,000 miles from home. Even with those times, I've had a great semester.
You may be wondering how I managed everything. You might have anxiety yourself and be thinking that you could never go on a semester abroad. Well, I learned a lot and I'm more than happy to share some tips.
Disclaimer before we get started: Every person is different and everyone experiences anxiety differently. These may not work for everyone.
1) Make sure you're not getting in over your head.
Trips are stressful. Being in a new place requires adjustment, as does starting at a new school. It's okay if that's too much for you, but if it is, maybe this isn't the right choice for you. Talk with people you trust (a therapist if you're seeing one, parents, mentors, or friends) to try to figure out if you're up for handling a very new situation far away from your usual support system.
2) You don't have to do everything.
Being in a new place is exciting. There are sights to see, people to meet, and classes. Your new study abroad friends might be going out every weekend and you'll be invited on plenty of excursions. FOMO is real, but it's totally okay to say no. If clubs freak you out, it's okay not to go to them – I've been here 4 months and I haven't been once. If you miss a thing or two (or twelve), that's fine. And if you need to, take a day off to recharge
3) You are in school. And that's a stressor too.
You're probably used to school by now. The school you're going to will be different somehow (trust me) and you'll have to adjust. But you're also going to have to balance a normal courseload with all of this adjusting and exploring. This is totally attainable, but it takes some planning.
4) Don't expect to feel better just because you think you should.
This has ruined some experiences for me. I'm having a bad day when I've planned to do a fun thing and I can't enjoy myself enough. Then I get upset because there's no reason for me to be so unhappy. Then I'm even less happy. Rinse and repeat. It's okay to feel whatever you feel. Even if you're staring at a beautiful vista in a new city. Sometimes you're going to have subjectively bad days on objectively good ones. It happens.
5) Make yourself at home.
You're in a new place, but you're there for a few months. Set a routine. Explore your neighborhood and find your favorite restaurants. Pick a spot in the library and make it yours. Make friends in your classes or join a club if you can handle it. Sit in the park for an afternoon because there's plenty of time to act like a tourist. Let some days be regular. You'll remember them too.
I probably have more to say, but this is getting long. I hope you find this enlightening (or possibly even helpful). Feel free to leave a comment if you have any thoughts or questions. Thank you for reading my blog. Have a great week!
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