How To Thrive With Social Anxiety In College?

College begins with a bittersweet sense of anticipation for most students. Independence, exploration, and personal growth are the hallmarks of an adult rite of passage. Yes, this is a horrible idea, but stop avoiding eye contact and dry your palms because it won’t be too awkward. Colleges offer great opportunities for networking and new friendships. Still, many students have difficulty even saying hello.

Some see college’s social facets as the driving force to enroll. Keg parties, fraternities, and sororities are equally valuable to some as academics.

In contrast, college can cause anxiety for those suffering from anxiety disorders. A strange environment will replace their familiar one, in which they will interact with strangers. Performing well in college requires a lot of social skills. New friendships, group projects, and class presentations can pose challenges.

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How College Students Can Manage Social Anxiety

Feelings, thoughts, and behaviors are all components of social anxiety. Together, they are as follows:

“I am anxious and afraid to meet my neighbor.”

“I’m afraid I will not be able to make friends because of my social anxiety.”

“I won’t show up to the meet-and-greet in the hostel since I’ll feel anxious.”

Separation is the only way to stop them. We lose the opportunity to test our anxiety-fueled beliefs when we avoid social situations. In the absence of countering those beliefs, we are bound to feel fear and anxiety. Instead of succumbing to your prejudices and emotions, focus on what you want out of college.

How to Manage Social Anxiety in College Long-Term

The goal is to reduce avoidance, not anxiety. 

We all hate feeling anxious and fearful. But when we avoid situations because of anxiety, the anxiety wins. By challenging ourselves, we can begin to change our beliefs. We were all nervous at the beginning of middle school, but by the end, it became easier. Wasn’t it?

Set up a hierarchy. 

List the social interactions you need to master and rank them from easiest to most difficult. Start by doing the simplest things on your list, like saying hello to your dorm neighbors. Then move on to even trickier tasks, like joining a community where you barely know anyone.

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Keep practicing until you get it right.

You will only get better at interacting with challenging people as you continue to try. Skills and confidence develop with practice, just as they do when learning an instrument or a foreign language.

Debrief your encounters. 

Every time you engage in social interaction, ask yourself, “What did I learn from this interaction?” to gauge how accurate your beliefs were. Often, anxiety increases in anticipation of the outcome. Sometimes, our worries do come true. Either way, debriefing gives you the chance to reflect on the experience, so you’re ready the next time around.

How to Manage Social Anxiety in the Short-Term

• Before you leave for school, make sure your roommate knows what you plan on doing. As a result, you’ll demonstrate your eagerness to meet and feel more comfortable with each other.

• You should get in touch with anyone going to the same college before leaving and, if it’s possible, meet up with them. You will feel less alone on campus if familiar faces greet you.

• It’s a wise idea to attend as many orientation events as possible; they’re a convenient way to get to know people. You don’t have to meet all new people at once, though. Make an effort to meet a few new people.

• Try to set goals for yourself, like starting a conversation. Tell the other person three things about yourself and ask two questions about them.

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• Get involved in clubs that are familiar to you or centered around things you are interested in. While clubs relating to your major can be helpful, some religious organizations offer warm welcomes and are approachable.

• Try to sit in the same place every time you go to class; if you arrive late, others may follow suit. This familiarity will help you build relationships. Smile at people you know and make eye contact with them. If you run into them next time, say hello.

• If you’re working on a group project, show others you’re ready to collaborate using nonverbal cues. When inviting them, say, “Hey, do you want us to work together?”

• During class presentations, practice your remarks, but do not memorize them, as this may cause you to become insecure. Take notes and guide yourself with presentation slides.

• Try to stay on campus as much as possible on the weekends, even if it is tempting to go home.

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Gratify Your Successes  

Learning how to control your social anxiety is like learning any other skill. Setbacks don’t spell the end of the world. Reward yourself for your achievements. Stay positive and seek guidance if you feel stuck. A conversation alone won’t make you a social butterfly, but it can boost self-confidence. Don’t let social anxiety ruin your social life, whether it be professionally, socially, or both. There is still room to step out of your comfort zone.