What to Do When You Feel Like You’re Just Surviving College

College can sometimes feel like you’re drowning in a sea of deadlines and endless to-do lists. Maybe you feel like you’re just hanging on by a thread, hoping for a breath of air but unsure how to even stay afloat. The constant juggling act between classes, assignments, extracurriculars, and trying to have a “normal” social life can be draining. You might feel like you’re not living, but merely surviving — like you’re just ticking boxes off your list, one by one.

If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. So many students feel like they’re just getting by rather than truly thriving. But here’s the good news: I’m here to help you. Think of me as the De-Tangler — much like Johnson’s No More Tangles, but for your schedule, your stress, and your life. It’s time to untangle the mess and find a way to thrive in the chaos.

Reach Out for Support

It can feel like college is just a never-ending cycle of the same boring tasks that wear you out. For example, you might catch yourself thinking, “I already think I’m a good accountant, so why am I still doing these boring tasks?” You’re doing the same work over and over again, but for what? Just to receive another grade that doesn’t truly move you forward in your career?

It’s easy to wonder, “Why am I spending all this time on assignments when I could be out there working, gaining real experience, and building something for my future?” I get it. You know how to do the tasks, but you’re stuck in a loop of busywork that doesn’t help you reach your goals. You might even ask, “Who can do my accounting homework while I focus on honing my skills in the real world?” Don’t be afraid to lean on others when you need help. If you need help with papers, it can be professional writers. Whether it’s friends, family, or campus resources, there are people who genuinely want to support you. Sometimes, it feels like you have to do everything on your own, but that’s simply not the case. If you’re feeling overwhelmed mentally, reach out to a counselor. Many colleges offer free or low-cost counseling services that can be a game changer.

Remember, you’re not alone in this. There’s no shame in asking for help, and leaning on others can actually make you stronger.

Acknowledge That It’s Okay to Feel Overwhelmed

First things first: it’s okay to feel like you’re struggling. College isn’t easy. It’s challenging in ways that many people don’t talk about, and sometimes that pressure can feel suffocating. When you feel overwhelmed, it’s easy to start thinking that you’re alone in your struggles, or that you should be handling everything perfectly. But guess what? No one is perfect, and everyone has their own moments of feeling lost.

What’s crucial is that you don’t ignore your feelings. Acknowledge them. It’s okay to say, “I feel burnt out,” or “I don’t know how I’m going to manage all of this.” Simply recognizing that you’re not in control right now is the first step to gaining control over your life again.

Stop Trying to Do Everything at Once

Here’s something that took me way too long to learn: you don’t have to tackle your entire to-do list in one sitting. I know it feels like everything is urgent and important, but most of it really isn’t.

Try this instead: look at everything you need to do and pick the smallest, easiest thing. Maybe it’s just reading one chapter or sending that email you’ve been putting off. Do that one thing. Then pick the next small thing.

It’s like when your room is so messy you don’t even know where to start. You don’t clean the whole thing at once – you start with picking up the clothes off the floor, then maybe clear off your desk. Before you know it, you can actually see your carpet again.

The same approach works with everything else. Small steps still get you where you need to go.

Learn the Magic Word: No

This might be the hardest lesson of college, but you absolutely do not have to say yes to everything. I get it – there’s FOMO, there’s the pressure to be social, there’s the feeling that you should be taking advantage of every opportunity. But here’s the thing: saying yes to everything means you’re not really present for anything.

That party on Thursday night when you have two exams Friday? You can skip it. That club that sounds interesting but would add three more hours to your week? Maybe next semester. The friend who always wants to hang out when you’re trying to study? It’s okay to say you need to focus.

Saying no isn’t mean or antisocial. It’s taking care of yourself so you can actually enjoy the things you do say yes to.

Figure Out What Actually Matters to You

College throws so many expectations at you that it’s easy to lose track of what you actually want. Good grades, internships, social life, extracurriculars, networking, career prep – it’s like everyone has an opinion about what your college experience should look like.

But here’s a radical thought: what do YOU want from these four years?

Maybe you want to really understand your major, not just get through it. Maybe you want to build genuine friendships instead of just networking. Maybe you want to try new things and figure out who you are. Or maybe you just want to graduate without having a complete breakdown.

All of those are valid. Your college experience doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. The people giving you advice about what you “should” be doing? They’re not the ones living your life.

Trust in Your Own Courage

Here’s something I want you to know: You have an incredible well of courage within you, even if you don’t recognize it yet. You may think you’re stuck, or you may feel like you don’t have the strength to make it through another day. But let me tell you, you do.

Sometimes, we just need someone else to remind us of our own bravery. I’m here to remind you: You can do this. The courage to step up and take control of your life is already inside you. You just need to believe it.

And if you don’t feel like you’re capable of doing this on your own? That’s okay too. Seek support, trust the process, and believe that you are exactly where you need to be.

You’re Not Just Surviving; You’re Becoming

Feeling like you’re just surviving college isn’t a sign of failure—it’s a sign that you’re human. College is tough, and it’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle. But by acknowledging your feelings, breaking things down into manageable tasks, reaching out for support, and giving yourself permission to fall apart and rebuild, you can shift from just surviving to thriving.

Trust that the courage you need is already within you, and with the right support, the right mindset, and the right tools, you can not only survive college—you can become the person you want to be.

And don’t forget: I’m here to help untangle it all. We’ve got this!