As my time as a freshman in college is ending, I have been reflecting on how college has changed me. Being an only child, I was used to so many things being mine and only mine, and this whole idea of sharing so many things with people I barely knew was very foreign to me. I'm pretty sure it was obvious to my roommates that I was the only child by the time I moved in. It was really hard for me to adjust, but here are some of my tips for those only children coming to college.
1. It's not that hard getting used to not having your own room and bathroom.
This was probably one of my biggest worries coming to college. I've been so used to having a whole room to myself, that I knew this was going to be a major struggle for. As long as you put in the effort to get to know your roommates and keep track of your belongings, you'll be fine. Plus, going home is a treat because you get to go back to that huge room that's all yours.
2. You don't have to do everything with your roommates.
Yes, it does seem convenient to do everything with your roommate because you live with each other, but you need to remember that they have their own schedules and extra curricular activities that they are involved in. Also, you should remind yourself that there could be a chance that your roommate and you just do not click as friends. Just be respectful towards your roommate, and you'll receive the same respect back. And who knows, maybe the more you guys bond the closer you'll get!
3. Making time for yourself is necessary.
This is a very important thing to remember. My first semester in college was spent trying to balance school, activities, and my social life, and I never took time for myself. This ended up blowing up in my face. If you never take for yourself, it ends up hurting you in the long run. Remember to dedicate at least a couple hours during the week to yourself. Exercise, take a walk, watch Netflix, nap ... the possibilities are endless! Self-care is the most important thing to maintain a happy and healthy life in college.
4. Don't be afraid to branch out!
For me, being an only child meant being exposed to the same people all the time, which really sucked. I knew that college was my chance to break out of my shell and try to get to know myself, and that's exactly what I did! It may seem hard to do, but trust me, you'll find your niche in no time if you just put in the effort to do so.
5. Keep in touch with people from back home.
Whenever I get homesick, I like to just text or FaceTime someone from back home. As an only child, people from back home are basically like siblings to you, and it's refreshing to see a familiar face when you're down. It's really nice to have a support system from back home because they've known you longer than your college friends have and will always be down to catch up and talk about life.
