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Ask The Everygirlz:
“I'm starting college this year and already spiraling about the transition to harder classes and studying etc…any advice?”
From Someone Who Survived the Freshman Adjustment:
First things first: I'm going to tell you something that would've saved freshman-year me about 30+ unnecessary breakdowns—it's just not that deep.
Okay, obviously your classes matter. I'm not saying not to study. But somewhere between buying color-coded highlighters and scrolling wayyyy too far down the "how are we getting 4.0’s in college these days" Reddit thread, I convinced myself that every assignment was basically life-or-death (spoiler: it was not). As an ADHD gal, I figured out that the harder I tried to force myself into becoming That Girl™ who studies for six uninterrupted hours in the library, the less productive I actually became. A few things that actually worked:
Making things feel smaller. Let me explain. I'd tell myself, "Just read one page." "Just open the document." "Just spend 15 minutes on it." Nine times out of 10, I'd end up doing way more because getting started is honestly the hardest part. College isn't about suddenly becoming the most disciplined person alive—it's about figuring out what tricks your brain into actually doing things without burning yourself out or feeling like you're constantly fighting your own habits.
Letting myself close the laptop. Like, actually close it. Go get that dinner you definitely can’t afford with your roommate. Wander to Target for absolutely no reason. Watch an episode of your comfort show for the 3467th time. The work will still be there when you come back, but your brain will be way less fried. Everyone I knew who seemed to have it all together wasn't studying 24/7—they were just really good at knowing when to clock out.
And while we're on the laptop of it all...
Having one you can rely on and that keeps everything in check, I will say, is super important. If you’re in the market for a new one before classes start (highly recommend), the timing is perfect: we got a Windows 11 PC deal on deck, girls. With the purchase of an eligible Windows 11 PC, eligible U.S. college students can get 12 months of Microsoft 365 Premium [1], 12 months of XBOX Game Pass Ultimate [2], and a design-your-own XBOX Wireless Controller [3] through the Microsoft College Offer [4]. The work and play balance is key, obv, and it all adds up to more than *gasp* $500 in added value. It has a ton of different programs (like Word, PowerPoint and Copilot) to keep everything from notes to lectures to random to-do lists organized and efficient, which would have saved me from said unnecessary breakdowns.
So if you’re stressing about whether you’re “ready” for college, here’s your reminder that nobody walks onto campus already knowing exactly how they study best or how to balance everything perfectly. You’ll figure out your routines, find the apps and playlists that keep you focused, and probably change your mind about all of them a few times along the way. Here are a few starters:
what's keeping us in check
OneNote for lecture notes
This planner (ofc)
Outlook calendar for literally everything
what's on our playlist
Taylor Swift’s Folklore
The La La Land soundtrack
what we’re playing on breaks
Unpacking (the dorm room level will hit different if you’re moving in this fall)
what we bookmarked this week
This specific back-to-school offer
Cheers,
the everygirlz
P.S. Want to ask us a question? Submit one here!
[1] For new subscribers only. Valid payment method required; subscriptions auto-renew. See terms and conditions for details.
[2] For new subscribers only. Valid payment method required; subscriptions auto-renew. See terms and conditions for details.
[3] Upgrades available; additional fees apply.
[4] Offer ends August 31, 2026. Eligibility requirements apply, and students will need to verify their academic status using their college .edu email address. Redemption requires a Microsoft account and following the provided steps after purchase of a qualifying PC.