Balancing Home Life With College Life: Friends, Family & Being Independent
Going to college is one of the biggest life changes you will experience. Back at home you have your family, friends, jobs etc… everything that you’re used to. Going to college can be scary at first, but eventually you will find friends and create your life at college. Trying to balance these two lives can seem difficult. Often times, the people who you were friend with in high school may drift apart once you head to college. However, this does not mean that those friendships cannot continue. You need to make new friends at college, it’s a place where you are supposed to meet some of your life long friends. Friendships that you developed during high school can turn into lifelong friendships as well. It comes down to doing what is best for you. Don’t be afraid to make yourself a life at college, because by any means does it mean you have to give up your old friends.
Leaving your parents behind can be a big change while going to college. You are going to miss them, and that’s normal. Personally, one way that helped me to adjust to life on my own on was knowing that college is preparing me for the rest of my life. Right now, I know that my parents are only the next state over and if I need them, they will be here. After college, I hope to make a life of my own and not have to rely on my parents. I think of college as a good in-between stage. You are on your own, but you can reach them if you need them.
Going from living at home to living at college is a huge step and can be difficult and overwhelming at times. The thing that has helped me is to think about short term goals. If you are missing your friends and family just think of when you will see them next. If it’s in two weeks, you only have fourteen days left, and you can start a countdown. They days will go by faster than you think. In the meantime, try to make some friends and start to develop your personal life at college.