10 Tips on Surviving NCSSM

James Norman, Writer

Photography by NCSSM

As the first two months of the 2025-2026 academic year of NCSSM Morganton come to a close, it has become obvious to Juniors and Seniors alike that this year will be a long one. 

Between SATs, college applications, and the ever-increasing workload, some of us have already started to feel overwhelmed and burnt out. NCSSM is not for the weak, but there are still ways to approach this school with a stronger attitude. Below are the top 10 tips I would have appreciated as a Junior, as well as some reminders for my fellow Seniors.

Tip 1: Your mental wellbeing is important — reach out.

If you or someone you know is struggling mentally, do not be afraid to reach out for help. Moving away from home is incredibly stressful, and it is totally normal to feel overwhelmed or homesick. Change isn’t easy — and that’s okay. There are so many people on campus who love you and care about you. You have CCs, RLAs, counselors, teachers, and friends all willing to help you and provide support in whichever way you need it. Don’t be silent about your struggles. It is easy to get wrapped up in the overwhelming nature of a residential school. Reach out to others; I guarantee you will feel so much better.

Tip 2: Relationships are complicated — don’t be afraid of change.

You may have heard of the “3-week rule” recommending that you allow yourself time to form strong relationships at NCSSM. It’s easy to get excited and make many friends in the beginning, but sometimes those initial friendships do not last. That is totally normal — and it happens to everyone. Classes, extracurricular activities, and differing personalities may get in the way of relationships. Allow yourself to experiment with different people and groups. Try not to feel trapped in a specific niche or “clique.” Reach out to people. Maybe you find a classmate funny, you like someone’s outfit, or you realize you have something in common with someone you’ve never met before. NCSSM is one of the best opportunities to meet and interact with a diverse group of people. Take advantage of it!

Tip 3: Keep an open mind — treat all others with respect.

As mentioned in the previous tip, NCSSM hosts a wide variety of students. This includes cultures, religious and spiritual beliefs, political beliefs, gender identities, sexualities, races, ethnicities, and nationalities that may differ from your own — or maybe from anyone that you’ve ever met before. It’s important to keep an open mind when meeting new people, and to allow yourself to learn new things about others and yourself. Sometimes you may not agree with the beliefs or lifestyles of others, but that is no excuse to not treat others with respect. “Treat others how you want to be treated” may be a goofy saying, but it’s a saying for a reason.

Tip 4: Allow yourself to branch out — learn new things!

NCSSM isn’t only about the classes. We provide a wide range of extracurricular activities and experiences that can also teach you something new. If you’ve always wanted to give music a try, then play some piano in Jeter. Or, maybe you’ve always wanted to learn how to cook — experiment in the Res Hall kitchen (without setting off the fire alarm)! There are endless opportunities at NCSSM that fall outside of normal class time. And, if you discover that you don’t enjoy something, then there is no pressure to continue pursuing it. NCSSM is all about discovering more about yourself and how you want to interact with the world. It is the perfect environment to begin new hobbies.

Tip 5: Find time for yourself — take breaks.

Many of us at NCSSM are workaholics. It’s all too easy to get used to stressful days and late-night study sessions. However, it is not sustainable to be constantly stressed. Try to take some time to yourself each day and enjoy the things you love. It could be video games, music, drawing, or a sport. Destressors and keeping yourself sane is just as important as finishing an assignment. And, if you really are in a pickle, a late assignment is never the end of the world. Talk to your teachers about time management and extensions. Ask for help! A late assignment is better than an academic dishonesty charge! Don’t burn yourself out.

Tip 6: Don’t be afraid to ask for help — we’re all learning together!

Everyone, at some point in their lives, has academically struggled with a subject or topic — that is an unavoidable fact of life. Some of us may experience struggle for the first time at NCSSM. It is understandable to be afraid to admit that something is difficult for you, but it’s guaranteed that others feel the same way that you do. Asking for clarification in class or over email is not a big deal. No one thinks that you’re dumb for wanting to learn. If the workload is really too much for you, it may be worth it to reach out to your instructors or CAAS for further help and possible academic support.

Tip 7: Grades aren’t everything — you are worthy!

It took me a while to realize that making mistakes doesn’t mean I’m stupid. At the beginning of my Junior year, I truly struggled with self-worth. I compared myself to my peers constantly, and felt that NCSSM made a mistake in choosing me. You are not alone if you feel or felt this way. One thing is for sure: you are here at NCSSM for a reason. You are smart, you are capable, and most importantly — you are worthy. Don’t let some hiccups along the way determine your self-worth.

Tip 8: Organize and schedule — it helps!

With how busy NCSSM can get sometimes, it’s only natural to forget some of your responsibilities, or simply not have time to complete them. Instead of staying up until 2AM writing that AmStud paper the night before it’s due, take some time out of your week and plan ahead. Allocate time to specifically work on homework. Make sure to include breaks! And, if your schedule isn’t followed exactly, then no sweat. Things come up all the time. Adapt and try your best to move on.

Tip 9: Live in the moment — NCSSM is short.

School can sometimes feel like a race to the finish line. As the year goes on, days and weeks speed by, and you forget what it was like to be new here. Don’t let the time pass by you. Seize every moment. The people around you, especially your upperclassmen, will not be here forever. Allow yourself to enjoy the company of others. NCSSM will be done before you know it. 

Tip 10: SLEEP!

Finally — get some sleep! Bad sleeping habits are so easy to form and so incredibly hard to break. My best suggestion is to try and correct your sleeping schedule over the weekend. Studies show that having a consistent bedtime is incredibly beneficial — even if you aren’t getting all 8-10 hours of sleep. Sleep will improve your academic performance. I promise you, it’s worth the investment.