Throughout my entire high school career I looked forward to college. I didn't hate high school like most people my age did. I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. I had great opportunities, wonderful friends, a loving family, I made pretty good grades,and I was heavily involved with tons of different school organizations all four years. High school was actually fun for me but I knew college was going to be even better. I knew where I was going the summer before my senior year, I applied in August, was accepted in September, graduated, and here I am. I've lived away from home for a month now and while I was so excited to finally move out and live on my own I constantly have to remind myself that I am happy here. It's not that I don't like college and I have no intention of quitting, but it's a much bigger change than I thought it was going to be. A much bigger change than anyone warned me it would be. I've found out a few things about myself in the short time I've been here and I know I'll find out much more as the time goes on. I've also discovered ways to make sure I am happy with my new home and my new routine. So here is a list of four things every first year college student should do to help them adjust to living on their own for the first time.
1. Become Friends with Your Roommate!
Whether you're in a lecture class of 300 people or a class of two, talk to the people in your classes. You'll be nervous and you'll think that everyone is more prepared than you are, but everyone is nervous. Every single first year student is scared. Go talk to someone. It will not kill you. Alot of colleges offer a "learning community" option with each major. It sounds lame but join it and you will make more friends because you all have the same classes so you're all struggling together and its beautiful. No one can be successful in college, or life for that matter, without making friends so work up the nerves and talk to someone. You'll be a more successful student because of it.
2. Find a Higher Being to Believe In
Young people especially tend to feel that religion is inconvenient and unnecessary. I used to agree with that. I considered myself a christian but I wasn't sure about how I felt about organized religion. It's easy to say you don't believe in a God when you're in high school and you're literally never alone, but when you start a new chapter of your life and you find yourself alone for about half the day everyday it's almost terrifying. Being alone can break you very quickly. During times when you feel so overwhelmed by school, work, and stress feeling like there is someone watching over you makes everything so much easier. Sometimes when I've had a rough day I lay in my bed at night and I talk to a God that I believe is looking out for me and protecting me and I instantly feel comforted. Being alone is the easiest way to not be successful in college and believing in God or a higher being is a great way to never feel alone.
3. Don't Forget Your High School Friends
It's a given that when you go off to college you're going to lose touch with some of your friends from high school. It's so easy with everything that goes on in college to forget to call your friends or not have enough time to visit some weekends. But try to keep some of the friends you had in high school close to you. It's comforting to talk to someone who's been your close friend for a longtime and tell about your successes and your failures. They're your friend for life and they want to see you succeed. They're a reminder that, once again, you're not alone. Make new friends in college, but don't forget about the ones you love and the ones that love you just because they're not with you all the time.
4. Get Involved
You've heard it and you'll hear it a thousand times but there is a reason. The urge to go back to your room and watch Netflix for 13 hours is almost irresistible after four hours of class but don't shut yourself in your dorm and ignore all of the events your campus has to offer. The events are there for a reason and you'll find that they're not as lame as high school dances. Whether it's going to a friends for ice cream or becoming the president of a club get involved and stay involved. The more involved with your school you are the happier you will be.
Transitioning to college is not always easy. No matter how ready you think you are or how sick you are of your hometown you will miss it when you move away. Whether you're staying in your hometown for school or going across the country it's easy to feel scared and alone in college. By making new friends, keeping in touch with your old friends, and staying involved with your school you can make this transition process easier on yourself and insure your success.
