Before you begin reading, let me just warn you this is not about what clothing items to bring to college.
I sat on the floor of my childhood bedroom or days, unable to decide what to bring to college with me. Every sweatshirt I took off the hanger I threw into the blue moving bags… Along with every pair of pants, tank top, t-shirt and pairs of shoes that I owned. I knew I couldn’t bring everything (as I already knew my dorm would be practically the size of a shoebox) but I just didn’t want to leave anything behind.
This was the most pressing issue until the day before I was to leave for college arrived, and I realized I would be leaving much more at home than sweatshirts and shoes. I would be leaving behind years of relationships and experiences: leaving pieces of myself and returning as someone so different and altered.
What to bring
Something I wish I understood before leaving for college was that the dynamic of your relationship with every individual you know will change. I went from seeing my three best friends every day, and ironically despite the significant portion of my graduating class choosing to go to the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, none of them go here.
Before now, I would’ve thought feeling this way would be impossible. We see each other every few months. “What’s the big deal?” one may ask… But because I didn’t bring this expectation to college with me, I’m now here sitting in the library on the night of Halloween writing about how much I miss them.
Coming to college with expectations and understanding is important to one’s mental health during such a big transition. Understanding that things will abruptly change, and there’s nothing one can do about it, is crucial. I have grown to find my place and be content with my current life, and am happy I was able to bring these happy memories with me on my newly beginning journey.
What to leave
There are plenty of things I wish had happened before leaving for college, but bringing regret along with you is not a good idea. Holding onto these self-grudges and regrets has no positive benefit in beginning a new life! So please, don’t bring these.
Another thing I stress about not being with you is relationships with people that do not impact you positively. Leaving for college is a way in which many people are granted a fresh start, so use it! Here, you can meet new, better friends without the thoughts in the back of your mind thinking about people who have hurt you.
Lastly, some advice I probably needed, was leaving behind all of the possibilities. Maybe something could have happened or been a great thing in my life, but it’s too late now to sit here and wait. Move on from past maybes! And focus on your own happiness instead of worrying about what will happen when home next!
Whether it be deciding whether or not to bring a pair of pants or a friendship, the truth is that packing is hard. So, I wish you luck and urge you not to make the same silly mistakes I have.