Freshman year can be a daunting time for many. Moving out of their parents’ homes, living with strange new roommates, registering for classes, and participating in campus activities comes a steep learning curve that can cause stress among even the bravest of freshmen. 

The University of Alabama has several resources available to help students of all ages cope with college stressors, but the First Year Experience and Retention Initiatives program works specifically with first year students to help them with their transition to college. The following are stress relief tips from FYE to ease freshmen into a successful semester at the University. 

Start a Routine

The most effective way to get used to campus life is to start a consistent routine. 

“Get a regular routine, whether that’s when you eat your meals or exercise, try to create a balance so that every day looks similar,” said Chelsea Ratcliff, coordinator for FYE and Retention Initiatives. “[Routines] minimize stress for certain times of the day.”

Get Involved

Getting involved in on-campus programs is a great way to gauge interests, meet people, and reduce stress. It is advised that students do not spend all of their time attending classes and studying. 

“Find other opportunities to have a balance and break up times between schoolwork so that you’re not studying all the time,” Ratcliff said. 

There are many academic and athletic organizations for students to join and participate in like foreign language clubs or intramural sports. Get On Board Day is a yearly event where students can visit booths and sign up for hundreds of organizations. This year, GOBD will be on Tuesday Sept. 5 in the Ferguson Plaza. 

Talk to Someone

Students are reminded to not get cooped up in their dorm when stress arises. There will be times when it is necessary to talk to someone about school or general college life, and it is important to remember to reach out to someone, whether they are roommates, friends, professors, or family. Being a first-year student can be tough, but a lot of the stress associated can be mitigated when there is someone there to talk it out. 

Everyone Experiences Stress

You are not alone, everyone experiences stress.

“Some just don’t show it the same way as others,” Ratcliff said. “Knowing that the entire freshman class is feeling overwhelmed and having someone to talk to makes a big difference in dealing with stress. Remember that stress comes in different forms. It may be from academics, over involvement or a struggle in transition when coming to the University.” 

Contact FYE

The entire FYE department is dedicated to make the transition for UA’s first-year students easier. Whether students are college freshmen or transferring to the Capstone, FYE offers resources to improve their college experience. 

Currently the department is offering a program called Transition Talks where students can have a one-on-one with FYE staff members. According to Ratcliff, these members act as a sounding board to students who want to voice their concerns. 

Anyone who is interested can contact FYE directly on their webpage: https://fye.sa.ua.edu/.