Before you know it, you’re staring directly into the face of the day you knew would never actually come: college. Some of your friends will be attending local colleges, some will already be joining the work force, and some of us are trying our odds a big university. Whether you are moving off as a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior, leaving your beloved small town life at home and jumping into the fast life of college can be scary. You’re many hours away from your parents, your best friend isn’t just a minute down the road anymore, going to the best restaurant in town doesn’t just consist of going through one stoplight, and when you get there, your mom’s friend’s husband’s cousin doesn’t give you a hug and ask you, “How’s your family?” It can be rough. But there are a few things to remember that will always remind you that you made the best decision ever.
1. Remember that change is good.
You’ve probably heard your mom say this when you broke up with your boyfriend or left elementary school to go to the big world of middle school. But it’s true. As cheesy as it sounds, I discovered so much about myself, how I handle situations, and how I act out of my comfort zone during the first month of living in Athens that I never would of known had I stayed at home. If you never experience any type of major change, it can be hard to know what you truly like and don’t like and what you truly want out of life.
2. Remember that you will make new friends.
And it may take some time, but it will happen. There are so many people at this university who are just as excited to branch out and make new friends as you are. You’ll find out that you make some of your best college friends in the most random ways and that is so fun! Greek life, the many clubs, sports, and organizations on campus are full of people just like you, and you will find that finding friends will come so naturally.
3. That being said, remember not to be scared to put yourself out there.
When you've grown up in the same place with the same people for 18 years, you get very comfortable with the clubs you’re involved with and the people involved with you. It’s hard to come to a huge school with tens of thousands of people and try and make a name for yourself, but if you want to, it’s possible. Being a part of Greek life, joining charity organizations, being a church group leader, or even being a member of your school’s bug club. Literally whatever interests you, there is a group of people just like waiting for you to get involved!
4. Remember that just as you are looking for that fresh start, others are, too.
It’s easy to decide who your friends are in a small town, because everyone knows everyone and knows all about their past. But just as you came looking for that fresh start at a big college, so did everyone else. Everyone has a past and everyone has his or her own unique story, and you aren’t going to know everyone’s story right off that bat, like you do those at home. At a huge school like this, there are so many different personalities and interests of the students here, and that is one of the best things about it all! Though someone may be different than you what you’re used to, always remember to accept others and be a friend. You just don’t know how much that one act of kindness could affect them in this sea of people, and that may be just what they came here looking for!
5. Remember where you came from.
Perhaps maybe the most important of them all. Have all the fun you can, learn everything you can possibly fit into your brain, and meet the some of the best people of your life in your four plus years here, but always keep in your heart who helped you get to this place. Remember your fifth grade teacher who taught you that laughter and learning go hand in hand, remember that one coach who taught you that your character when no one is looking is more important than your character in front of a crowd, remember your best friend’s grandmother who loved you and bragged about your friends like y’all were all her own, and remember the pure bliss that the simplest things can give you. Because when you’re from a small town and you leave to pursue your dreams, the most humbling feeling in the world is having the same people who were there from the beginning cheering you on for the rest of your life -- and that’s something worth remembering!
