Lots of people will tell you what to expect from college life. From large classes to all-night study groups, you’ve probably heard dozens of stories about the good times you’ll have and the things you’ll learn.

What few people mention is how you’ll feel as you adjust to college life.

Going away to college is a major change, probably one of the biggest you’ve experienced so far. With big changes come rough times. You are transitioning from a teenager to an adult, and there are a lot of new responsibilities that come along with this.

These new responsibilities can cause stress and anxiety for students. The good thing is that stress is normal. Completely normal. Though many college freshmen won’t admit to going through tough times, all of them do.

Expect to be stressed
College life can be very stressful. In fact, according to a study conducted at Kansas State University, it’s more stressful today than ever before.

“People just don’t seem to have the resources to draw upon emotionally to the degree that they used to,” said Robert Portnoy, the director of counseling and psychological services at the University of Nebraska in a New York Times interview.

“What would once have been a difficult patch for someone in the past is now a full-blown crisis,” Portnoy said.

John C. Wade, outreach coordinator and licensed counseling psychologist for Kansas University’s counseling and psychological services, says stress in college can be often linked to change.

“Any adjustment itself is stressful,” he said. “Even if it’s a good change, there is always stress involved in making that change.”

So what can you do to combat college stress? Wade suggests four things to help you stay relaxed and in control:

Have realistic expectations. College is going to be hard. It will require more work than high school, and you’ll be on your own to make sure that work gets done. Understanding this will prepare you for what’s ahead.

Stay in contact with your established support system. Call home to talk to family and friends. They’ll give you the support you need to handle the recent changes in your life.

Develop new social connections. You’ll be away from the friends you used to depend on.

Making new friends It’s tough to leave your friends behind when you go to college. What’s even tougher is making new friends. It’s not very often that you have to start your social circle from scratch. You might even fi nd that suddenly you’re struggling with newfound shyness and don’t know what to do.

The California Institute of Technology Counseling Center offers three tips on how to make friends:

Put yourself in social situations. You can’t meet people if you stay in your dorm room. Get out, attend sporting events, go to parties, and introduce yourself to people in your dorm and classes.

Talk. You won’t make friends through osmosis. Conversation is the best way to find out if the person you sit next to in Biology has similar interests. Open up the lines of communication. Start with something as simple as, “What’s your major?”

Hang out. There’s a difference between friends and acquaintances. So how do you turn an acquaintance into a friend? Take the initiative! Get their phone number and call them up to go get pizza or study at the local coffee shop.

The great thing about college is the number of people around you. You’re sure to find other people with similar interests and outlooks.

Missing home
At some point, every college student gets homesick. It’s tough to leave a home where you feel comfortable and accepted, and this often causes separation anxiety and homesickness. While the severity of homesickness can vary, the symptoms are the same.

“A College Guide to Overcoming Homesickness,” from Penn State Erie, sites seven major symptoms of homesickness:

• Feelings of anxiety or stress about leaving family and friends
• Worrying about your academic performance
• Feeling alone and separated from those around you
• Thinking you don’t fit in with others who are having fun
• Depression and little or no motivation
• Wanting to connect with someone like you did with friends back home
• Thinking about home – all the time

If you find that you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s important that you realize their cause and start taking steps to make things better.

You can use your homesickness as a reason to get out, explore the campus and the city and take others with you. By exploring in a group, you’ll make friends while familiarizing yourself with your surroundings.

Don’t ignore it
If you find that these symptoms are keeping you from going to class or making it hard to leave your dorm room, fi nd out about the counseling services at your school. Sometimes talking to someone who is trained in overcoming homesickness is just what you need to get past these feelings.

College is a major change in your life, and it’s important to be as ready as possible for what lies ahead. Realize that being stressed, shy and homesick is normal – and you will probably experience each of these feelings during your freshman year.

Keep in mind that you’re not alone. The other freshmen around you are going through the same thing you are. Use those negative emotions to reach out and make new friends. You won’t just feel better, but you’ll have helped someone else out and made a new friend.

About 66.3 percent of American adults are overweight or obese according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If that trend continues, out of 100 of your friends and classmates, 66 will weigh more than doctors recommend. For many of them, this extra weight will cause serious health problems.

You don’t have to be one of those 66.

Contrary to what many think, eating healthily isn’t hard. Even as a busy student juggling class, studying, friends and a part-time job, you can still make healthy food decisions.

Take small steps
Healthy eating habits won’t happen overnight. Start slowly, eating smaller portions and swapping water for coke. Try eating healthily for one meal a day. Once you’re comfortable, increase that to two meals a day.

On the go
There are ways to eat healthily at fast food restaurants. Try a grilled chicken sandwich instead of a double cheeseburger. Ask if you can substitute fruit for the side order of french fries. Many chain restaurants offer several salads on their menus. You can even trade the soda for a bottle of water. Speaking of water …

Don’t skip the H2O
There are plenty of reasons to drink eight glasses of water every day. Water energizes and cleans out your body. It also lubricates joints and organs and helps maintain muscle tone. Water keeps skin soft. Water regulates body temperature, filters out impurities, and keeps the brain working properly.

Looks can fool
Not all the foods that look unhealthy actually are bad for you. While cheese fries may never be part of your recommended diet, potatoes alone are nothing to fear. In fact, they are full of antioxidants that are great for fighting diseases. The important thing is to know the pros and cons of what’s on your plate before you take the first bite.

Smart snacking
Keep an emergency stash of healthy snacks for those moments when you’re tempted to hit the vending machine. Breakfast bars and granola bars are easy to store in your dorm room. Low calorie pudding, apples and trail mix are also easy to eat on the way to class. And when you’re heading to class …

Stay active
Even small things, like walking to class instead of driving, or taking the stairs in place of the elevator, can help you stay healthy. Look for activities you enjoy, like biking, running or dancing, to get your heart rate up. After a few workout sessions, you’ll find you have a lot more energy.

The combination of a little bit of planning and some smart choices can help you stay healthy, no matter how busy you are.

This may be the nastiest part of spring, but that doesn’t mean your wardrobe has to suffer. Come rain, sleet or snow, we have the hottest wardrobe items to keep you warm.

Ladies, this is a season of cropped sweaters and textured blazers. Ditch the snowflake print for something simple like plain colors or small lace details. Velvet and corduroy are most popular for blazers. Guys, look for track jackets to layer over t-shirts and poofy vests to wear over long-sleeved shirts.

The key to warmth is layers, and coats are perfect for that. Everyone needs a coat this season, and there are many styles and choices. Guys should look for a nice leather coat in black, brown or tan for going out and a sporty coat in a dark color for casual wear. Avoid extremely bright colors unless you’re hitting the slopes. Girls have a variety of styles to choose from. Military jackets are in, as well as knee-length coats in simple colors or tweed textures. Match your coat with a nice pair of warm boots.

ACCESSORIES AND MORE

Boots are the hottest item of the season, so don’t be shy to step out of your comfort zone. Cowboy boots were huge in the fall and can still be worn this season. Match a pair of suede wedge boots with a plush jacket to get a seventies look. If you’re a sweater kind of girl, a pair of lace-up snow bunny boots worn over your jeans are a perfect match.

With any cold weather attire, don’t forget accessories. Scarves, gloves and hats are never out of style if worn in simple colors. Avoid a noisy print and go for texture. Black, gold and deep hues are a must.

These additions to your closet will keep you warm and help you finish out the season in style. Always pass on cheesy snowflake print, and remember to keep things simple. Cold weather fashion is just as cool as any other style if you know what to look for.

Fashion is like a revolving door. Something can be in one season and out the next. As a college student, you aren’t going to be exempt from the fashion patrol, but who has time to keep up?

When it comes to fashion, there are definite rules to follow. To make it easier for you to balance your schoolwork and wardrobe, KEY fashion editor Nourisha Wells has created a top 10 list of clothing must-haves
for any college campus.

1. Jeans: The beautiful thing about jeans is that they can be dressed down or up. Consider light to medium finishes for those just-crawled-out-of-bed days and darker rinses with a nice top for nights out.

2. College Wear: You’re not an official student until you beef up your collegiate wear. Whether it’s t-shirts, hoodies, shorts or jackets, every student should have school paraphernalia. Show your school spirit!

3. Business Suit: Universities are notorious for hosting networking opportunities. You don’t want to be underdressed. A suit is also useful when it’s time to interview for internships. Try to stick with traditional colors like navy and black.

4. Sweats: Athletic wear has become an acceptable staple in today’s fashion world. This is good news for college students. Not only can you be comfortable, but you can look good at the same time.

5. White shirts: It’s amazing what a crisp white shirt can do for your mood. You can pair one with jeans, slacks or a nice skirt. Whatever your taste, there’s a style with your name on it.

6. Jacket: No matter where your school is, you will probably need a jacket. Plan ahead by purchasing both a dress jacket and a casual one. Try a chic leather jacket to spice things up and an updated denim jacket for laid-back hip.

7. Khaki Kraze: No wardrobe is complete without khakis. Guys – khakis are appropriate for both business and casual. Girls – khakis can be versatile by adding a splash of color in shirts or accessories.

8. Bathrobe: Although the thought of community bathrooms might make your skin crawl, they are a reality at many college dorms. Avoid the embarrassment by packing a bathrobe.

9. Comfortable Shoes: Your feet will thank you as you lug your heavy backpack across campus. Go sports-trendy with a pair of hip gym shoes or nice flip-flops. If you’re wise, you’ll pack both!

10. Tightie Whities: Your mother was right; you can never have enough underwear. I recommend a month’s supply to get you through when studying trumps laundry time.