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May<\/a> is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to elevate conversations around mental wellbeing and reduce the stigma that surrounds it. In recognition, we\u2019re sharing stories directly from students who are navigating the pressures<\/a> and facing the challenges of higher ed life today.<\/p>\n One of those students is Pranav Harwadekar, a junior at Texas A&M University. Here\u2019s Pranav\u2019s perspective, in his own words.<\/p>\n If there\u2019s one thing I\u2019ve learned as a college student, it\u2019s that connection isn\u2019t just helpful, it\u2019s healing. In the middle of exam stress<\/a>, academic pressure and juggling 12 open tabs of assignments (and let\u2019s be honest, at least three of them are YouTube, Instagram and Tiktok), having people around you \u2014 friends, study partners or just someone to grab a coffee with \u2014 can make all the difference.<\/p>\n Connection isn\u2019t a one-size-fits-all thing. Some people find it during big events, others in quiet moments. As a student navigating a hectic schedule full of coding projects, data analysis and meetings (shoutout to the group projects that always start at 9:00 PM), I\u2019ve had to find creative ways to build community. And in doing so, I\u2019ve realized it\u2019s not just about making friends but about protecting mental health<\/a> and helping others do the same.<\/p>\n So, here are five real ways I\u2019ve been fostering connections with my peers, and why they\u2019ve made college feel a little more human.<\/p>\n Group chats usually start as the go-to place for messages like, \u201cWait\u2026when is this due again?\u201d or \u201cAnyone understand question four?\u201d But over time, something funny happens \u2014 they evolve. What began as an academic safety net in my computer science<\/a> classes slowly morphed into a space where we actually<\/em> talk. We rant when a project takes five hours longer than expected, laugh (gently) about who\u2019s been making good use of extensions and spiral together when the exam review sheet drops and it\u2019s 12 pages long.<\/p>\n Those chaotic late-night messages, the random hot takes on campus food and the \u201cI give up, I\u2019m switching majors\u201d jokes? They bond us. There\u2019s something comforting about knowing you\u2019re not the only one losing it over a bug that shouldn\u2019t<\/em> be there.<\/p>\n One of the most meaningful ways I\u2019ve built connections is through giving back. Whether it was organizing events with UNICEF<\/a> or volunteering at Hope Health Care<\/a>, I\u2019ve learned that shared purpose creates real bonds. At Texas A&M, I joined the Engineering Honors Executive Committee. One of the events we take the most pride in is The Big Event<\/a> \u2014 where over 15,000 \u201cAggies\u201d step out to serve the local community in a single day of service.<\/p>\n There\u2019s something powerful about rolling up your sleeves next to someone, whether you\u2019re painting fences, planting trees or just picking up trash. You start out as strangers, but by the end, you\u2019ve shared laughs, swapped stories and worked towards something bigger than yourselves. Service naturally opens the door to honest conversations and, often, unexpected friendships.<\/p>\n Some of the best conversations I\u2019ve had in college didn\u2019t happen in classrooms or club meetings. They\u2019ve happened on the walk back from class, while sitting outside the library or in a dining hall when someone casually asked, \u201cHow\u2019s everything going?\u201d One time after a brutal week of exams, I admitted to a classmate that I was completely burnt out and questioning if I was even cut out for this major. Instead of brushing it off, they nodded and said, \u201cSame.\u201d That moment of honesty sparked a 30-minute conversation about stress, expectations and feeling like we were just trying to stay afloat.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve learned that being vulnerable about things, like imposter syndrome, burnout or just needing a mental break, often gives others permission to open up too. It doesn\u2019t always have to be deep. But carving out space for real conversations can turn casual classmates into people you genuinely trust.<\/p>\n Mental health isn\u2019t just about crisis moments<\/a>. It\u2019s also about those small check-ins. A simple \u201cHow are you doing \u2014 really<\/em>?\u201d can go a long way.<\/p>\n Some of the most meaningful connections I\u2019ve made came from saying \u201cyes\u201d to the random stuff: A late-night walk to the campus food truck. A last-minute invite to play spikeball on the quad. A spontaneous movie night where half of us fell asleep mid-way through.<\/p>\n College is full of moments that don\u2019t feel significant at first. They become the ones you remember because they weren\u2019t forced. They were real. It\u2019s easy to say, \u201cI\u2019m too busy\u201d or \u201cMaybe next time.\u201d But leaning into those little, unplanned hangouts has helped me find people who make the stress feel lighter and the experience way more fun.<\/p>\n Sometimes, connection starts with just showing up.<\/p>\n College can feel like a never-ending cycle of deadlines, exams and late-night study sessions. It\u2019s easy to stay stuck in survival mode \u2014 just pushing through one task after another<\/a>. That\u2019s why I\u2019ve made it a habit to pause and celebrate the small stuff: finishing a tough project, surviving a brutal week or even just showing up when it was hard to.<\/p>\n Sometimes that celebration means grabbing dinner with friends, playing spikeball until the sun goes down or spontaneously turning someone\u2019s dorm into a cricket ground. These moments might seem small, but they remind us to slow down and actually enjoy<\/em> the experience. When we celebrate the little wins together, the big challenges feel a lot more manageable.<\/p>\n College can feel isolating at times. And Mental Health Awareness Month is a powerful reminder that we\u2019re not meant to navigate it all alone. The truth is: connection doesn\u2019t have to be big or complicated. It can begin with something as small as a \u201cYou good?\u201d text, a shared laugh over a meme or sitting next to someone new in class.<\/p>\n When we make space for each other \u2014 through the small things \u2014 we build something bigger: resilience, community and a sense that we belong. Every time we show up for someone, or let them show up for us, we help create a more supportive and compassionate campus.<\/p>\n And if you\u2019re reading this and feeling even a little disconnected \u2014 I get it. I\u2019ve been there too. But trust me: connection often starts with a tiny step. Say yes to that invite. Send that message. Sit down at the crowded table. You might be surprised by how much better things feel when you do.<\/p>\n Written by Pranav Harwadekar, a junior computer science honors major at Texas A&M University.<\/em><\/p>\n \n <\/div>\nThe power of connection<\/h2>\n
1. Group chats that turn into lifelines<\/h2>\n
2. Volunteering for a shared cause<\/h2>\n
3. Making space for real talk<\/h2>\n
4. Saying yes to the spontaneous stuff<\/h2>\n
5. Celebrating the little wins together<\/h2>\n
Why this matters (especially in May)<\/h2>\n
Are your students having trouble connecting with peers in college? Share Pranav\u2019s article\u00a0for inspiration. Plus, check out an additional student\u2019s perspective on navigating the \u201cCollege Life Crisis.\u201d<\/a><\/h2>\n