Dorm move-in day marks the beginning of the next chapter of my life. The next year holds a ton of learning experiences, hard times and amazing opportunities. Ready or not, college is here and it’s time to make the most of it.
1. Is this real life?
I mean honestly, for the past 19 years, I’ve woken up to my parents every morning, but now I’m about to start living on my own. The biggest thing on my mind for the entirety of high school was going to college, and now it’s here. What the heck.
2. So. Many. People.
How can this many people all be living in the same building? Are all 550 of us really about to squeeze through those tiny doors and up three elevators with all the stuff I need to survive for the next nine months? You have got to be kidding me.
3. Anxiety, Anxiety, Anxiety
Am I doing this right? Are people judging me for what I’m bringing? Did I bring enough? Did I bring too much? What am I supposed to be doing right now? Am I missing anything? Did I bring my charger?! God, help me.
4. Parents: To Leave Or Not To Leave
I’ve been looking forward to living under my own roof since I hit my teen-angst stage at 13, but now it’s here, and I’m so conflicted. I love my parents so much, but I want them to leave me alone, but I also want them to stay right here so I can have a hug when I have my first college meltdown. Ugh, parents: can’t live with them, but certainly can’t live without them.
5. I Can’t Wait To Make New Friends
I just want to get my dorm set up so I can start meeting my neighbors and make new friends that will have crazy college adventures with me. Here comes the anxiety again with trying to make friends: be yourself, smile and please don’t be weird.
6. How Am I Going To Make This Work?
I have more stuff than this tiny room can handle. How the heck am I going to organize this and make it look cute? I see all these girls' pictures of perfectly decorated dorms, and I honestly have no idea where to begin. The boxes full of my stuff are taunting me. If there is one thing I hate more than packing, it is unpacking. Please send help.
7. The Next Chapter Is Here
My body cannot handle these emotions. I’m so happy to be growing up and starting the rest of my life, but I’m so sad to be leaving my family. Happy, because the only rules I have are my own (and my university’s rules of course), but also sad, because I don’t get to hug my parents before bed at night.
