The idea of moving away from family and friends into a realm of unfamiliarity is terrifying. This is my first year being away from home. I was a nervous wreck the night before move-in and through the first couple weeks of school. No one wants to be put in an uncomfortable situation, and adjusting can be difficult. Even though I have only been away for a few weeks, here are a few tips and pieces of advice that I have heard and experimented with since move-in.
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1. Be Open-Minded
Be willing to experiment and try new things! You’re in college now, so no one is going to criticize your interests and dislikes. Join that sports intramural you never participated in in high school. Take that art class even though you haven’t taken art since 5th grade. Join a sorority or fraternity! Find a club that is relative to your major and get connected with people you’ll be taking classes with. Getting involved on campus is a great way to meet new people! The possibilities are endless, and if you step out of your comfort zone you might discover a passion you didn’t realize was there.
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2. No Expectations
Everyone’s college experience is different. Now, I’m not saying that getting advice from upperclassmen is a bad idea, but be cautious. Their experiences can be very different from what yours will be. If you create a long list of expectations for how you think college life will be, you will be very disappointed when they don’t all align.
Along with that idea, have a positive attitude! It can be hard when everything around you is changing fast, but putting your best foot forward is all you can do when trying to adjust to a new atmosphere. Poor attitudes can cause more unnecessary stress on you, and make it that much harder to get adjusted.
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3. 30 Seconds of Being Outgoing Can Create a Lifetime Friendship
This isn’t like high school where everyone has known everyone since kindergarten. The days of the stereotypical cliques have passed, and the awkwardness of meeting a new person everyday has come. Be outgoing. That can be easily said rather than done for some, so at least try. I get it. Personally, I can be outgoing, but in brand new social situations I tend to want to shy away to the background. Rack up the courage to deal with the first 30 seconds of awkward encounters with a person. 30 seconds can make a big difference. You never know: maybe that will end up being your maid of honor or best man in your wedding!
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4. Practice Time Management
In college there isn’t going to be anyone breathing down your neck to finish writing that ten-page research paper, study for that test, or pay your bills. You are expected to do those things without question. Create a routine and a solid schedule so that you can keep yourself accountable for tasks that need completed. I would recommend buying a planner. It doesn’t have to be huge, but something where you can quickly jot down assignments, tests, and due dates will be a life saver near the middle of the semester when you have ten assignments and five quizzes on the same day.
There will be days where is feels like there aren’t enough hours to complete what you need to get done; practice time management. Prioritize your list and cross them off as you go.
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5. Have Fun!
You are paying big bucks to attend your university; make the most of it! Crack down in the books when you need to and do your best in your classes so you can graduate on time, but have fun! If you’ve been studying for five hours and a friend invites you out, take a break. Relax for a bit, then come back to it afterwards. It’s okay to relax, you’re allowed to do that. This goes back to point number one, but just to reiterate: be involved on campus, and do the things that you know you enjoy. Don’t waste your time joining a club that you know right off the bat isn’t for you. There is something for everyone, and if you don’t find it right away that is okay.
Being new to the realm of college life has been interesting. I have learned so much in just the first few weeks of living on campus, but I know there is still so much out there. As I begin to feel more comfortable with the campus, I feel more at home and more apt to be successful in my classes. Adjusting to a new space can be difficult, but if you go through the right steps it won’t be long before you feel like you’ve lived on campus for years.