9 Ways to Be Happy in College

In college, it’s hard for students to be happy. A larger workload, being away from home and stressful school work are all reasons for college students to feel unhappy.

Many students have trouble balancing their social life and their school work, but I’m here to say that it is possible. As a recent college graduate, I’ve found ways to be happy, have fun and do well academically in college.

In this post, I share 9 ways to be happy in college that will make your college experience better.

I’d be lying if I said that I was happy in college the whole time. Like many students, there were times when college became stressful. I had days when I hated going to class and I felt like dropping out.

The reality is, my first two semesters of college were a big step up from high school and the workload in college caught me off guard. I had to find ways to become more motivated, enjoy going to school, and to be a happy student.

With that being said, here are 9 ways to be happy as a college student:

1. Take Classes That You Enjoy

In college, taking classes you enjoy is a lot more important than taking classes with friends or classes with a reputation of being easy. As a college student, it’s hard to find the motivation to attend and do well in a class that you have zero interest in.

I learned this lesson the hard way in my first semester of college when I enrolled in a class that everyone said had an “easy” professor. It was so boring and I found it hard to pay attention. It was the only class I ever failed in college!

If you take classes that are interesting to you, you will actually enjoy going to class and you will learn a lot.

2. Don’t Overwork Yourself

A big reason many students are unhappy in college is because they overwork themselves. There’s no problem with taking a reduced course load in college, even if it means staying an extra semester.

If it’s your first semester in college, make sure to balance your classes and don’t overload yourself.

College is a big step up from high school. The semesters are shorter, there is an increased workload and you have more responsibilities.

Not overworking also applies to working a job while you’re in college. Everyone’s situation is different, but if you are a college student who is constantly working, make sure you give yourself some time to relax.

Many students fall into the cycle of going to school and constantly working. This is very hard to sustain throughout college and some students will end up getting burnt out and their grades will suffer.

3. Make Friends You Like Hanging Out With

In college, I can’t stress the importance of having good friends, especially if you’re away from home. Having friends that you can confide in, hang out with and that you genuinely like will make college a more enjoyable experience.

I can truly say that in college, a lot of my happiness came from having good friends who had the same interests as me.

If you’re having trouble making friends in college, don’t get discouraged. Some people take longer than others to make friends.

In college, you can make friends by joining clubs, participating in school events and in class. Don’t be shy to talk to your classmates. In college, everyone is there to learn but there to make friends and have fun.

4. Get Proper Sleep

It’s no secret that college students do not get enough sleep. In college, it’s important to try to get at least 6 hours of sleep per night and to try to nap when you can.

With all the partying, school work and different events it can be hard to get a proper night of sleep in. Do your best to manage your time and rest when you can. You will feel a lot happier and your day will go by a lot quicker if you’re well rested.

The only time you should not sleep is when you are in class! It’s disrespectful to the teacher and if you’re sleeping in class, you might as well just sleep in your bed because you’re not going to learn anything anyways.

5. Stay Organized

In college, organization is key! Staying organized, will prevent you from showing up to school and being shocked when you find out that you have a test.

If you write down important dates, complete your assignments on time and avoid procrastinating, you will be happier in college. The source of many students unhappiness in college is due to their lack of organization.

With the semesters being so short in college, the workload can really pile up. Being organized ,will set you up for a succesful and stress free college experience.

If you’re looking to stay organized in college check this out: 27 College Desk Essentials Every Student Needs

6. Set Realistic Expectations

If you’re a competitive person, setting unrealistic expectations can be the source of your unhappiness in college. Some college students put a lot of pressure on themselves to have the unrealistic grades and it can be very damaging.

There is nothing wrong with setting goals, but don’t put yourself down when you didn’t do amazingly. Setting unrealistic expectations can lead to a lot of stress.

If you put in the work, study and do your best, there is no reason to be upset, regardless of your grade.

7. Eat Properly

As a recent college graduate, I know first hand how hard it is to eat properly in college. Whether it’s not having an appetite or not having the time to eat, going hours without eating will directly effect the way you feel.

When you’re hungry, it will be harder to pay attention and you will be low on energy. Eating 3 meals and having snacks throughout the day will improve your overall happiness and will make learning easier.

Don’t forget to drink water!

8. Join a Club, Fraternity or Sorority

Joining club, fraternity or sorority, is a great way to make friends and have fun in college. A big part of the college experience is taking part in a fraternity or sorority.

You only go to college once, it’s important to make the most of your time there and to have fun with your friends.

9. Experience College Party Life

I understand that partying isn’t for everyone, but if you’re in college you have to experience the party life. School can be hard, stressful and exhausting so going out and partying is a great way to unwind.

As a recent graduate, some of my best memories in college are from parties. I met some great people, had some fun times and I’ll never be able to experience those times again.

College isn’t just about getting an education, it’s also about finding yourself, learning real life lessons and having fun. Balancing your academics with good times is the key to happiness in college.

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Final Thoughts on How to Be Happy in College

At times, it may feel like your semester is moving by really slowly, but college will be over before you even know it. Your college years will be like nothing you will ever experience again. It’s important to make the most out of it, have fun, create awesome memories and be happy. Don’t let one bad test ruin your day, things will get better and good times are on the horizon.

Why do you think college students are unhappy? Please let me know in the comments below.

9 Ways to Be Happy in College – Advice From a Recent Graduate