The Hardest Words to Say: Are You Okay?
Welcome to college, Judson Girl!
Whether you’ve spent three years at Judson or this is your first semester, I bet you could use a few words of encouragement right now. Good job. Keep going. Everything is going to be alright. I am more than willing to provide you with these words anytime (Come find me in Barron 101). But the fact of the matter is that practically everyone on campus would love to help build you up, and you don’t have to wait until you are drowning to ask for help.
Are you feeling homesick? There is a balance to strike. Some people go home every weekend and call their mom twice a day. That may be fine for them. Some people detach completely from home and their parents won’t know if they’re alive until Christmas. That may be fine for them. You, however, will likely fall somewhere in the middle. Do allow yourself to find the parts of Judson that make it feel like home to you, but if you miss your friends, don’t deprive yourself of hearing their voice.
Are your studies more than you can handle? Find someone in your class who is more comfortable in the subject who can help you. Find an “upperclasswoman” who saved her notes from last semester. Visit a lab or study session. Are you falling behind on homework or stuck on a paper? Go to the library, take a deep breath, sip a cappuccino, and ask a librarian for help. They’ve heard it all.
Are you beyond stressed out and having an existential crisis every hour? Consider visiting the campus counselor Dr. Tamela Turner, or one of the Marion ministers. There is no shame in talking to someone when you are overwhelmed. Everyday ways to help relieve stress include taking a few extra minutes in the morning in prayer, using the punching bag at the fitness center, taking a B-complex vitamin, diffusing lavender essential oil, listening to your favorite song, or taking a ten-minute nap.
Or are you just having a hard day? We’ve all had them. Find your RA, your RD, your best friend, or a random stranger in the hallway. “Hey, I’m in a horrible mood. May I have a hug?” They will most likely indulge you, no questions asked.
Most importantly, be kind to yourself. You can’t do it all on your own, and honestly, no one expects you to so. It’s going to be okay.