Like almost all pre-college kids, I viewed college as a very distant thing that I never thought would approach me so quickly. It felt so surreal, and even more so now that I’m writing my article for the Her Campus publications. The thought of creating a whole new social circle, getting overhyped–and many times hungover–at weekend frats, rushing, walking what felt like miles to go from class to class, having to seriously start thinking about my future career and new living circumstances…and, most importantly, finally getting a grasp of an independent adult life was all so overwhelming.
Unfortunately, this self-ignited overstimulation is exactly what led me to carry this fixed mindset of not “integrating quickly enough” when I moved onto Grounds. Out of everything that I wish I had prepared more for since moving onto Grounds for the first time–like packing days in advance, checking my UVA email earlier for my housing information, going over my schedule more thoroughly to make sure I could easily accommodate for my new life as a university student–this mindset of dread and worry was something that really barricaded me from enjoying my transition to college life.
In fact, I now feel as if I hadn’t been as concentrated on such intrusive thoughts, my transition would’ve gone so much smoother. I was too fixated on everything that was going wrong–from rushing move-in to running to the First-Year meeting while also feeling pressured to quickly “fit in” with the vibe of my hallmate group at Hereford–that I simply forgot how to enjoy the fact that I was moving into a new chapter of my life that I was now entrusted to shape on my own.
Even if you’re not an incoming First Year reading this, I feel like the dreaded mindset can apply to absolutely anyone who’s looking to move into a new stage of their life. So, even if you decided not to read my whole spiel of how uneasy I was to move into UVA, please at least know this:
Don’t let your own mind control you! You are in control of your own mind, and you definitely have what it takes to get to the point that you’re aiming for!