Beginning college usually involves adapting to a whole new lifestyle, which can be very stressful if you're not adept at dealing with change. Developing fulfilling relationships is a great way to acclimate yourself to the college environment and reduce some of this stress.
When you find yourself in a new environment with new people, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and alone. It is important to recognize that incoming freshmen are all in the same boat in this regard, and though you may feel lonely, you share this condition with many of your peers.
If you are having trouble finding friends in college, try getting involved in student organizations that share your interests. Most colleges and universities offer a number of associations, from sports clubs to social justice organizations, which cater to a wide variety of interests and passions. Finding peers with similar interests is made much easier by the existence of these organizations.
College asks you to manage your work in a way that is new to many students. To reduce your stress level, it may help to make yourself a daily or weekly schedule so you can focus on assignments as they become due. It's a good idea to cross-reference the syllabi for your classes so you know which weeks will be particularly busy. Procrastination can lead to stress if you let your work build up to much, so try to complete tasks as you've scheduled them to avoid getting behind.
College involves a great deal of work, but it's important to be able to relax, too. Be clear on what relaxes you and schedule time for that. Some students relieve stress through exercising, socializing, attending films or plays, or playing games. Not everyone relaxes in the same way, so find what works for you.
If you're feeling extremely overwhelmed by stress, you could easily become depressed. If you find that you are having trouble motivating yourself or functioning day to day, schedule an appointment with the school mental health center. Counselors are usually free for students, and it's important to note that while there's plenty you can do to alleviate stress, there are also many cases that benefit from counseling.