Welcome back! Now that I am well into my sophomore year, I have had time to reflect on some of the biggest changes that students experience transitioning into college. One of the most prominent changes is experiencing loneliness or just being alone on campus. I am here to tell you that being alone at times in college is not a bad thing. In fact, I encourage it! Sometimes your schedule does not always align with your friends, but that should not stop you from having a good time on campus. I am not telling you to stop spending time with your friends or to isolate yourself on campus, but when your schedule does not line up with theirs, try to view the time you have to yourself as something positive. Here are my top 3 tips, tricks, and insights on learning to be alone at college!
1). Have a meal by yourself!
Grab a meal or sweet treat by yourself! It was scary at first, but getting a meal or a snack by myself is one of my favorite things to do during my alone time. There is something calming about settling into a dining hall table with just your food and your thoughts. Sometimes I use that time to get a little homework done, review my schedule, or just jot down a to-do list. Other days, I let myself fully unwind by listening to music or scrolling on my phone a little bit to relax. Breakfast alone has become one of my favorite rituals because it gives me a chance to reset before the day gets hectic and helps me recharge socially. Sharing meals with friends is wonderful and important, but learning to enjoy your own company is just as valuable. Taking yourself out for a meal or a small treat reminds you that you do not have to be “on” all the time. It creates space to breathe, reflect, and reconnect with yourself in the middle of college chaos, especially when adjusting to campus life.
2). Exercise by yourself!
Working out by yourself can feel intimidating at first, especially if you are used to going with friends, but it can quickly become one of the most empowering parts of your routine. Exercising alone gives you the freedom to move at your own pace, choose the workouts you enjoy, and focus entirely on how your body feels without worrying about anyone else. I have found that solo workouts are a great way to clear my head. Whether I am in the gym or going for a run off campus, being alone while I exercise helps me recharge in a different way. I love to just listen to music and tune out the other people working out around me, and it is one of the few moments during the day when I am completely present. Working out with friends can be fun and motivating, but exercising alone teaches you to rely on yourself more, to create your own momentum, and to enjoy your own company. It also becomes something personal that is just for you! Solo workouts can turn exercise into an act of self care rather than a social event.
3). Watch a movie or TV show by yourself!
Choosing to stay in instead of going out with friends can make you feel like you are missing out on something, but it can actually be one of the healthiest choices you make in college. Allowing yourself to slow down and watch a show or a movie creates space to relax without pressure, expectations, or constant social energy. Some nights I just need to curl up in my bed with a blanket and watch a show. Letting myself unwind like this gives me a sense of calm that I rarely get during a busy week. It is a chance to disconnect from the noise of campus and reconnect with myself. Going out with friends is fun and meaningful (and highly encouraged!), but choosing to stay in is just as important. It teaches you to honor your own needs rather than forcing yourself to be social when you are exhausted. A quiet night in can reset your mind, recharge your energy, and remind you that rest is not something to feel guilty about. Staying in becomes a way of caring for yourself, and it makes the moments you do spend with friends feel even more intentional and enjoyable!
College was one of the first times in my life where I had to learn to be alone sometimes instead of always being around family and friends. It was a hard transition at first, but it is super important to grow into. Having alone time in college does not mean that you are missing out on anything or that you do not have enough friends, it is an act of self care. Sometimes you are simply just your own best friend! Until next time!
-Braelyn