1. Friends are not immediate.
My freshman year has been a whirlwind. But, one of the most valuable things I have learned is that my friends in college did not come right away. My first few weeks, I kind of just hung out with various groups of people each night, seeing which group I fit in with the best. The truth was though, that I missed my friends back home and I knew that the relationships I had there were so much stronger than these. I didn't know how I could make friends like I had at home, in this foreign place. But, I gave it a few weeks and friendships began to form. So, it is unnatural to find friends in your first few days, be patient.
2. The friends you make will become the best friends you ever had.
After the initial small talk and awkward adventures, I started to find my group. Then, after I found people to hang out with, we began to adventure together; to make memories together. Then is when I realized how deep our friendship was becoming. Never again would I live with my best friends every day. And because of the fact I spent every day with them, they became some of my best friends, it was just a gradual process, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.
3. The coursework is as hard as it seems.
College courses say in their syllabus "Since this course is a three credit hour course, you should be spending six hours on homework per week." I have found this statement completely accurate. However, don't be afraid of this like I was. Classes only meet two to three times a week usually and after you are done with your classes for the day, you're on your own. You have no family to get home to or mandatory dinner plans. You schedule your week accordingly so your plans and your homework do not conflict. And, all of your college friends understand this because they are dealing with the same thing.
4. As exciting as it may seem to leave home, you'll miss it.
I miss home. All the time. The semester was especially tough as a lot of my friends back home began their lives without me. But, I was beginning a new chapter of my life. Then I started missing birthdays and family events. I would see the pictures of my family, and realize how much that home was a place I wanted to be. But, as second semester rolled around, I realized college was becoming my second home and the people there were becoming my second family. But, home is always where I'm from, and where my memories are. Don't be afraid to go home every once in a while. Everyone is homesick and if you have the privilege of living close enough to drive a few hours, take advantage of that and bring back some friends that aren't so lucky.
5. Your relationships back home won't be the same.
The relationships I have maintained back home still exist now because my friends and I have worked hard to preserve them. I know the cliche thing to say when someone leaves for college is, "Trust me, nothing is going to change, we will always be close." However, the friends left behind are living the life they have always lived, and you are going away to somewhere with new people and starting a new chapter. Things happen. You are no longer a part of the weekly Dairy Queen runs and you can't just drive over to your friend's house when you want to see them. You aren't part of the high school camaraderie and you no longer work at the job you loved so much. You are no longer living life with the people you have spent 18 years with and that's okay. You maintain these relationships by face timing and calling and intentionally spending time with them when you are home. Otherwise, they fade. That's sad, yes, but how much deeper are you connected to the people who make an effort to be in your life even after you're gone? And it's worth it when you are reunited. The hugs and the tears and the talks are what you both have been waiting for. So, your relationships back home won't be the same. But, to those who you try to keep in your life and they keep you in theirs, your relationship will be so much stronger.
