FLASHFACTS

Dealing with Change

Change is an inevitable process that we experience many times throughout life. Especially as college students, change is almost a daily process. As freshman, we matriculate to a new community where we make new friends, explore new interests, and start living life on our own. As we become comfortable with our surroundings, change occurs again as we graduate and enter the "real world." For most, change is an experience that creates anxiety and fear, so provided below are a few tips to help you deal with change.

1. Talk about your feelings. Find a friend or a stranger, someone who will listen to you without interruption. Tell them what you're experiencing and feeling. Talking about what's going on is better than bottling your feelings inside. You may find someone who is going through the same changes and can help you through.
2. Reflect. Look back on past experiences and remember how you dealt with those, then apply them to your current feelings.
3. Relax. Take time each day just for yourself. Do something that you love and that will take your mind off your problems. You will be able to see things more clearly after you've stepped away from them for awhile.
4. Keep your life as normal as possible. Do the everyday things that you have always done. Stick to your routine. Creating chaos in other areas of your life will only add to your stress.
5. Stay flexible. Be open and allow yourself to adapt to change. If you go with the flow rather than resist change, things will be easier for you in the long run.
6. Find opportunity in change. Look for the silver lining in your changing experience. While some doors will close for you, new ones will open. Don’t be afraid to take new chances.

Back