Photos: (Beats, Warby Parker, Toms, FEED, Office Depot, Invisible Children)
It's back-to-school season, which means you're probably gearing up to have the best year ever. You've bought your school supplies, made sure you scheduled all the right classes, and have started planning some epic adventures with your friends.
College might be one of the best times of your life, but that doesn't mean it's always easy. If you're a little apprehensive about the year to come, don't worry, because we've got you covered with our back-to-school survival guide. Here are the organizations you need to know about to totally rock your college years:
+ Get Schooled
It's no secret that college costs money, so make sure you school yourself on everything you need to know about loans, scholarships and more. Get Schooled is a national nonprofit organization that works to educate students about the importance of planning for and paying for college. Oh, and if you're worried about waking up early for a morning class, check out the organization's celeb wake-up calls. After all, what's going to get you out of bed faster than One Direction telling you to get a move on?
+ Half of Us
Going back to school means balancing things like meal plans, midterms, and more, but have you thought about how you're going to manage your mental health? There are plenty of stressors — did we mention midterms? — so make sure you've got a plan on how you're going to cope with anxiety. If you're feeling overwhelmed, you can find resources at Half of Us on how to get a handle on things. Make sure to check out your college's student health center for local resources too.
+ A Thin Line
You might be leaving high school, but that doesn't always mean you're leaving the bullies behind. If you or a friend is dealing with digital abuse, find out how to take control with tips from A Thin Line. You can learn about how to deal with texting tormentors and how to defend your digital domain. Because college is all about learning, make sure you brush up on your privacy rights.
+ It's Your (Sex) Life & Love Is Respect
If you're having or thinking about having sex in college, you're definitely going to want to check out It's Your (Sex) Life. You can learn about the different types of protection for preventing pregnancy and what you need to know about STDs. You might be over the pop quizzes in your classes, but you should never hesitate to Get Yourself Tested when it comes to your sexual health. Most importantly, remember that you deserve to be in a relationship in which you are respected and in which your partner asks for your consent at every step of the way. If you or someone you know are in an unhealthy or abusive relationship, you can find resources at Love Is Respect.
+ RAINN & Know Your IX
College is a time where you get to learn about your passions, meet new people and have new experiences, but that doesn't mean bad things can't happen. According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network), college-age women are "4 times more likely to be victims of sexual assault." What's even more terrifying is that most victims know their abusers. If you're looking for ways to stay safe this school year, RAINN put together a list of tips on how to reduce your risk of sexual assault. If you or someone you know has been assaulted, you can find resources at your local rape crisis center or online at Know Your IX, an organization working to empower students to stop sexual assault by knowing the rights afforded to them under Title IX.
What are your best back-to-school tips for students heading back to college this fall? Share them in the comments below, or let us know on Twitter!
