Dear Other Homesick Freshmen,
Your first couple months have gone by. It’s been tough adjusting to school. No more parents telling you what to eat, no more curfews, no more reminders of doing homework. It’s something we all were sick of during high school, but something we miss now that it’s not there. It’s like the angel on your shoulder was overpowered by the devil that’s there. Personally, I always wanted more and more freedom from my parents in every aspect of my life, but now that I am truly my own man, I miss them a lot. One of the hardest things about adjusting was making new friends. When things were rough with your life at home, there were always friends to turn to. The obsequiousness of everyone really threw me off. There’s no one to turn to if you want to talk about being homesick. So what’s the best thing to do? Call your mom. Call your dad. Repeat after me: “I love you.” That phone call has a sort of magical healing power. It’s a simple reminder of the support system that’s in place for you. College is supposed to be something you love – my older brother doesn’t even like coming home anymore. He’s so happy being independent and that’s how we all should feel. College should feel like home. It should feel like the right choice. And it will, for everyone. I started off the year with a perpetual pit in my stomach. All I could think about was Thanksgiving and going home. I felt so out of place – I wasn’t ready for college! Everyone else was so mature, so studious and so independent. I was a boy among men. After six whole weeks, I finally went home. That’s when I felt out of place. My bed didn’t feel the same. My feet felt so naked in the shower (not wearing shower shoes is a luxury). My cats looked different. My best friends, now seniors in high school, had found new relationships. By the afternoon of the first full day I was there, I wanted to get back to school. That’s when I knew I loved college and I loved my school. Getting back to campus was wonderful. It was like Christmas in October. I saw the usual suspects out drinking, saw my RA and my roommate. It was perfection. Everything was so normal. So, why on earth did I tell you my story? I want you to know that it gets better. I told my mom the second day that I was on campus, “my life is in shambles.” That’s something I laugh at now. College is awesome. You will learn that one day. Until that day comes, talk to some new people and call your parents at night. If you still feel like this after a full semester, maybe it’s time to transfer. There’s no scenario that will arise in which you are stuck at a college you don’t like. I promise that you will love college just like everyone else does. Don’t worry - your time of ecstasy on campus will be here momentarily.
