Maybe you’ve lived in the same city all your life. Maybe you’ve moved around so much, you don’t know how to answer the question “Where are you from?” Maybe coming to college is your first experience in a foreign country. Or maybe you still haven’t left home. Regardless of where you come from, and where you’ve been, transitioning into life at NYU Abu Dhabi is no easy task.

As people who had never left their home countries, we were overwhelmed by how foreign this place seemed. We were anxious, trying to figure things out as soon as possible, trying to fit in and adjust into this place. Everything felt so new to us. Apart from trying to manage the ungodly amount of work, we were juggling Student Interest Groups, Physical Education classes, trying to forge meaningful friendships, hoping not to be alone in East Dining Hall, dealing with homesickness and oh, laundry. Little did we realise, that as we constantly worried about one thing after another, we barely took time out for ourselves.

It can be difficult navigating a completely new place on top of taking your first steps towards an independent life. But don’t worry, you’re not the only one. Here are a few things that might help someone who is still getting used to life on campus.

The first thing you need to keep in mind is that your mental health comes first, especially in a competitive environment such as at NYUAD. This tends to get to us, and sometimes, it can be emotionally overwhelming. We may feel inadequate, or trapped, alone or bothered. If left unchecked, these emotions can take a severe toll on our mental health.

There are a bunch of different options available to NYUAD students who request services for mental health, both on and off campus. If you just want to vent about your feelings to someone who is your age, REACH has trained peer counselors that will listen to your rants. You can also get an appointment with a counsellor and remember, you can do this even if you’re just feeling low or having a bad day. Other than that, if you have serious mental health concerns, our insurance covers appointments with a psychiatrist or a therapist, whom you can see upon a referral from the Health Center. Remember, it is okay to feel out-of-place, especially in your first semester of college, but it is important to reach out. You’re not alone in this. Talk to anyone you feel comfortable with, but let it out before you implode.

Another thing you need to realise as a part of this fast-paced university is that you need to deal with academic life at your own pace. The rigour of the academics at NYUAD can be extremely demanding. While most of you think that you should be on top of everything as soon as possible, it is completely okay to take it slow and allow yourself to settle in first. You may be asked to read 200 pages a day for that one class, and you might not get the readings. Don’t shy away from reaching out to your professor, TA or even your peers.

First-year grades are not recorded on your official transcript for a reason: to let you adapt to college and for you to explore different interests, or even to find out how you work best. Nevertheless, don’t use it as an excuse to slack off, but utilize it as a means to try out new things and slowly settle into college life. Additionally, the university also houses a variety of resources that pave the way for a holistic education. Explore electives outside of your major, learn a new instrument while you gain credits, book an appointment at the Writing Center or simply approach a research librarian for assistance.

Apart from academics, the campus has so much to offer in terms of extracurriculars, cultural events and campus life activities. As a first-year, you will most probably try to take on as many of these opportunities as possible because of the fear of missing out. You will sign up for 20 Student Interest Groups at the SIG Fair, attend two SIG meetings everyday, apply for the E-Board for three more, sign up for four campus events and try out for the soccer team.

There is so much going on at NYUAD, and while all of these are amazing opportunities, spreading yourself too thin and attempting to attend every event that goes on here is no way to go about it. Get involved with a few things that you find intriguing, and commit to them so you can get the most out of the experience. Use these spaces to help you find something you’re truly passionate about outside of your major. There is no need to push yourself constantly to do everything and be everywhere, but it never hurt anyone to zero in on their genuine interests and commit to them.

Living on campus is an amazing experience, but constant proximity to your peers can also be overwhelming. Remind yourself that not everyone is wired the same way, and it is completely normal to step back and take a breather from all the socializing. Take time from your busy schedule to catch up with friends and family back home and re-energize from that familiarity. Don’t worry about finding a concrete group of friends in the first few weeks of university. Dynamics change over the years and you will know so much more about relationships as time goes on. Don’t force yourself to conform to the basic requirements of “social acceptability.” This concept is outmoded and everyone is here to know about the real you. You will forge genuine, meaningful relationships in college, so don’t force anything. If the friendship isn’t progressing organically, let it go. It is important to identify toxic relationships and prioritize yourself before others.

Right now, it may seem as if you are occupied with enough things on campus. But make sure to pop the Saadiyat bubble and explore what’s beyond this little island. While the bubble feels comfortable and you don’t feel the need to leave it often, you have to experience the rest of the city to really feel like you belong here. Abu Dhabi is so much more than just going to Yas Mall, Abd El Wahab and Circle Cafe.

You can go kayaking in the mangroves, try out different cuisines, find cafeterias and karak shops, go for a picnic in the parks or even wander around the souqs and ports. Explore the other emirates during long weekends: enjoy the busy bustling Dubai, go hiking in Ras Al Khaimah or go snorkeling in Fujairah. If you want to find out more about these activities, information is readily available on the internet, and the university also plans regular excursions to some very interesting places. Keep an eye on Student Portal to find out more about those.

College may seem overwhelming, and you may want to have it figured out as soon as you can, but you need to relax, take a break and not be too hard on yourself. These are some of the most important years of your life, and you will experience things that will transform you into a whole different person. Take the time to cherish that.