Finding Air: A Junior Year Journey

My anxiety felt like drowning in a library full of people who could breathe just

fine. Junior year hit different when panic attacks became my study partner.

I'd white knuckle through lectures, chest tight, convinced everyone saw me unraveling.

The twist nobody tells you is that half your classmates feel identical, just hiding it

better. I started treating my mind like an injured muscle, not a broken

thing. Ten minute morning breathing sessions followed by study sprints with actual breaks

instead of guilt. Built a small crew who normalized saying I'm struggling today out loud.

The game changer was finally walking into campus counseling, hands shaking, expecting judgment.