When I arrived on campus for move-in week in August, I don’t think I realized exactly how much things were going to be changing. I was so eager just to be away from home that it didn’t register how things were really going to feel like once I was settled in. The last few months have been challenging – but in an amazing way.
Living on campus/roommates
Living on campus has been extremely convenient for being close to my classes, being close to the dining hall, and just for having familiar faces around. I would highly recommend this, especially for your first year, because there is a greater chance for you to meet people and it helps you become more familiarized with the school itself. Because I wanted a fresh start, I decided to live in a dorm and have randomly selected roommates. I got really lucky and ended up in a triple with two great girls who I’ve grown close to and shared some good laughs with.
Put yourself out there!
I’ve always been extremely introverted, so making new friends wasn’t the easiest for me. The best advice I can give is never saying no to an opportunity to try something new or meet someone new. I deliberately put myself in situations that forced me to get out of my comfort zone and that’s where the most growth happened. At the end of the day, everyone is in the same position as you when it comes to being in a new environment surrounded by new people – so don’t be afraid to open up a little!
Napping in public is a thing?
Yes – in the library, in the dorm lobby, in HCB – and no one will care. In fact, they’ll probably understand.
Call your parents
They miss you. You miss them. Sometimes things can get hectic in your life and college can be really fun, but no matter how busy you get, save a little time to give them a call just to check up on each other.
Dressing like a scrub is acceptable
I tried putting in an effort to dress nicely for the first couple of weeks but if you’re like me, you just stop caring about it after a while. Especially if you have early morning classes – leggings and a sweater is the way to go. I’ve even seen people show up to class in their pajamas.
Homesickness
Before college, I lived in the same house my whole life. My best friend lived across the street and everyone I knew was just a short drive away. I was so used to those familiar surroundings, and I had no idea how hard it was going to be for me to adjust being away from that – it got to the point where I was struggling with anxiety because of it. That was undoubtedly the hardest part of living away from home for the first time. But after a while, I started growing comfortable and realized this is where I needed to be in order to gain a sense of independence and be exposed to different people with diverse backgrounds, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Now I just jokingly give my friends a hard time for making plans without me even though I’m hundreds of miles away from them.
This is your time
The most important thing I’ve learned from this first year of college is that you really have to take advantage of every opportunity you can. Get involved in something you’re passionate about, do something out of your comfort zone, or just try something new. Set goals for yourself and make them happen. You have the freedom to further discover yourself and find the things that make you happy. This is truly the time where you realize who/what you need in your life and who/what is just hindering you from reaching your full potential. Don’t be afraid to let go of people/fears/doubts and just focus your energy on what’s best for you.
All images courtesy of Giphy.