Dustin Forster, a polytechnic student, concentrates on school work during a busy study session. Photo by Elise Duncan.
The alarm goes off, it’s 6:45 a.m. You lay in bed, paralyzed, staring at the ceiling, making a list of everything that needs to get done; there’s a mid-term at 2 p.m., a group project meeting at 12 p.m., and an assignment due today as well as tomorrow, but class is at 9 a.m., so when are we supposed to study? But again, there are groceries to get. The whole day is still ahead, but why does it feel like we have already failed?
Planning your days out can be hard having to think of all the assignments you need to do, while also making sure you give yourself some grace to make sure you have some time for yourself. College isn’t just classes; it’s learning independence, balancing responsibilities and freedom, while also figuring out who you are. No matter if you’re just stepping onto campus for the first time or counting down to graduation, the cycle of college life never really changes.
According to an article titled “University Student Stress Statistics in Canada” published in University Magazine by Samin Abdi on Oct. 10, 2023, a survey conducted by the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services found 89 per-cent of post-secondary students reported feeling overwhelmed by their responsibilities.
Dustin Forster is a third-year college student. He moved 12 hours away from his friends and family to do study Natural Resource Compliance at Lethbridge Polytechnic. He reflects on how the transition went from confidently knowing everyone to nothing.
“It was my first time living independently. I had to figure out my responsibilities while also trying to meet people. The transition was a lot harder than I expected, but as I got more comfortable, I started to enjoy the college life more.”
The pressure to manage new responsibilities while adjusting socially is something many new students experience. Trying to find that perfect balance between everything can be extremely difficult at first. But what had once felt unfamiliar and intimidating can slowly become normal, showing how growth can come through the uncomfortable moments.
Teegan Selzler is a second-year student studying education. She was unsure about the move away from home for the first time. he has learned she’s becoming more motivated while navigating through life on her own.
“College has made me grow a lot and realize what works for me, and what doesn’t, in all my ways of living. I realized it made me more self-sufficient and motivated me to figure out who I am and who I want to be.”
Aside from succeeding in schooling and navigating time management skills, college comes with more than some people might not initially think of. The next question for many students is time, wondering if they have enough hours in the day to get everything they need to get done.
Navigating college life is rarely smooth or predictable. Between the pressures of academic success and personal responsibilities, students are constantly having to adapt to change. Statistics show that feeling overwhelmed is common, yet within the stress of uncertainty comes growth.
In the end, college is more than lectures and deadlines; it is a period of transformation that shapes students not just for their careers but for life beyond the classroom.
